Editor’s note:
In this edition of the Northern Territory Disease Control Bulletin you will find the annual wrap-up of selected enteric diseases under surveillance in the NT for 2023 that includes a record number of typhoid fever notifications. The cases were in returned travellers from overseas, predominantly in people returning from visits to family in typhoid endemic countries.
The article on fireworks-related injuries following Territory Day celebrations in 2023 provides insights into the characteristics surrounding the 22 injuries the survey recorded, all in people presenting to hospital facilities, with 7 requiring hospitalisation including 1 needing ICU level care.
An article on trachoma reminds us that Australia is the only high-income country that still has areas of endemic trachoma. The NT has been working steadily over the past decades to reduce the incidence of trachoma and is now in a trachoma elimination initiative phase. Read about this work on pages 21-25.
Finally, March is the month of World TB Day, 24 March, a day that signals that TB is still very much with the world but, ‘Yes! We can end TB!’ A report on TB notifications in the NT over the past 6 years shows that the NT needs to continue to be able to promptly identify TB cases and provide curative treatment as well as carry out thorough contact tracing that includes preventive treatment.