Health News at Your Fingertips

With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Wherever you are, stay safe and dry. And happy Mardi Gras!

Here are today’s major developments:

• Alan Tudge will not return to the front bench before the election after the Thom Report found his relationship with former staffer Rachelle Miller did not breach ministerial standards.
• As clean up in the wake of the floods continues, the Australian Medical Association has released a statement calling for more to be done to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis. Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had “never seen so many natural disasters” and acknowledged – “let’s face it, it is (the floods) climate change”. The death toll nationwide has risen to 16.
• Rod Marsh has died aged 74 after suffering a major heart attack. Tributes have been flowing in for the Australian cricket legend.
• The federal Liberal party has released a statement confirming it will temporarily dissolve the New South Wales branch and appoint its own committee to take over, comprising of Scott Morrison, former federal Liberal president Christine McDiven and NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. They will remain in charge until 8 March.
• The Australian government is making preparations to impose sanctions on members of Myanmar’s military junta, amid sustained pressure from human rights groups.
• In Covid news, Australia reported 37 deaths today, the bulk of which were in Victoria. Some 26 people lost their lives to the virus in the state.
• And if we weren’t dealing with enough, there are now 16 cases of Japanese encephalitis under investigation in Australia as health authorities urge Australians to maintain vigilance around mosquitoes and pigs.

Here is the full statement from NSW police on the sixth statewide death in the floods.

A fifth person has been located deceased during the ongoing flood operation in Northern NSW.

Shortly after 2pm (Friday 4 March 2022), the body of a man, believed to be aged in his 40s, was located at Byrril Creek Road near Terragon, south of Murwillumbah.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Officers from Tweed/Byron police district have attended and established a crime scene.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

A fifth death has been reported in the northern New South Wales floods.

A man believed to be in his 40s was found at Byrril Creek Road south of Murwillumbah. He is yet to be formally identified.

It brings the total death toll in the state to six with the death of the man on the central coast last Friday.

In Queensland, three people have been charged with stealing by looting offences overnight as police target property crime in areas affected by the floods.

Since the operation began on Tuesday, seven people have been charged in relation to 18 incidents.

Acting superintendent Paul Austin said police were receiving reports of people scouting out furniture and belongings that had been left on nature strips.

This is a timely reminder to all members of the public that often these are treasured possessions that flood victims are having to sift through. Please show compassion and consider asking permission from owners before assuming items left out in front of houses are rubbish.

Trespassing on residential properties and taking items without permission is considered stealing and police will take action against those offending.

The Victorian government says there has been a rise in suspected Japanese encephalitis cases following the detection of the virus in Queensland.

Since last week, there have been eight suspected human cases of JEV infection in Victoria, including six people who have been hospitalised – among them two children under 10.

All cases are awaiting confirmation and several remain in hospital.

Deputy chief health officer, associate professor Deborah Friedman, said the eight people all had exposure to mosquitos before they became unwell:

It’s really important for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially anyone who lives, works or plans to visit areas in northern Victoria where mosquitoes are prevalent, especially if they are camping.

There are some really simple steps people can take, including covering up exposed skin, wearing loose fitting clothing, using repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets if you’re outdoors.

JEV is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis in approximately 1% of infected cases. Most people have no or mild symptoms but anyone who develops a sudden onset of fever, headache, vomiting, seizures or disorientation should seek urgent medical attention.

Amid these seemingly endless weather warnings, this is an extremely powerful piece from Lismore resident Eddie Lloyd:

We are at the threshold of climate catastrophe and it’s communities like ours that are bearing the brunt of it. It has not just lapped at our doorstep, it smashed right through our doors. It has destroyed our CBD and our loved ones have drowned to death.

These climate catastrophes are going to happen more frequently, with more intensity, more damage and more deaths, and we will see more communities collapsing.

Alan Tudge has confirmed he won’t return to the frontbench “before the election”.