00:00More efforts to tackle TB outbreaks in SA that continue to impact First Nations people,
00:07especially in remote and rural areas.
00:11Some of these community organisation health services almost have to operate as a mini-hospital.
00:18We have had, unfortunately, a number of deaths and also there's been a death in WA linked
00:27genomically to the APY lands cluster.
00:30Health officials say since May 2022, 25 active cases of tuberculosis have been detected in
00:37SA, most of which have been linked to four clusters around the state.
00:42The biggest cluster is believed to be in the Anangupinjarra-Yankunjarra lands in the states
00:47far north where an outbreak was declared in March last year.
00:51Smaller clusters were detected in the Murray lands in northern and central Adelaide late
00:55last year.
00:56The highly infectious disease is not common in Australia, but First Nations communities
01:01are still at risk of outbreaks.
01:04Why are these conditions still happening in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
01:09with a high rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a lucky country
01:14like Australia?
01:15SA Health says authorities have also picked up 49 cases of latent TB in the APY lands
01:21after screening more than 800 people.
01:24Last June, the SA government announced $1.9 million to raise awareness around the disease.
01:32The recent state budget included $15.2 million to respond to current TB cases and identify
01:39and treat new ones.
01:41Tuberculosis is a result of colonisation and we are sure that this investment will really
01:46help reduce that disparity.
01:48But experts say investments are needed in other areas too.
01:53Part of the issue in terms of spread of communicable diseases like TB does go back to the whole
02:00issue about lack of appropriate housing.
02:04A broader view to prevent disease.
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