Queensland records first fatal case of deadly virus in three years
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Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
King Charles' blood-filled eye sparks concern
King Charles has alarmed royal watchers after appearing with a dramatically blood-filled eye as he welcomed to the UK French president Emmanuel Macron. While the 76-year-old monarch, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, was all smiles as he greeted Mr Macron and first lady Brigitte, his appearance raised concerns for his health. The King was joined by wife Queen Camilla, and Prince William and his wife Catherine during royal ceremonial duties surrounding the state visit by the French head of state. King Charles, Queen Camilla and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle. Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images Speculation around the King's health sparked by his appearance prompted Buckingham Palace to issue a health update to address concerns. A spokesperson confirmed the bloodshot eye was due to a burst blood vessel that had developed overnight. They stressed it was not cause for alarm and was not related to his cancer treatment. A burst blood vessel, also known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, usually looks worse than it actually is. Generally they are harmless and can be caused by something simple such as a sneeze or a cough. The redness usually clears within about two weeks. The bloodshot appearance is due to a burst blood vessel. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images Charles was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and has been undergoing treatment for it ever since. While the form of cancer has never been revealed, reports have suggested the King is likely to die 'with' and not 'of' the cancer. It's treatable but not curable, which is the case for many older individuals battling the disease, renowned royal correspondent and the editor of the UK Daily Telegraph, Camilla Tominey, reported. President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs Brigitte Macron visit the UK in the first visit State Visit made by France in 17 years. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images Mr Macron's three-day visit, at the invitation of the King, is the first state visit to the UK by a European Union head of state since Brexit, and is seen as a symbol of the British government's desire to reset relations with the bloc that the UK acrimoniously left in 2020. 'The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend,' Mr Macron wrote on X, in a marked change of tone from the years of wrangling over Brexit. 'Our bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust.' France's President Emmanuel Macron clinks glasses with King Charles. Credit: Pool / Getty Images The President and his wife were greeted on a red carpet at London's RAF Northolt air base by the Prince and Princess of Wales. They were met in Windsor, west of London, by Charles and Camilla. A military band played the French and British national anthems as all four set out for the royal residence of Windsor Castle in horse-drawn carriages, through streets bedecked in Union Jacks and French tricolour flags. The King and Queen also hosted a state banquet for their guests. — With AAP

The Australian
19 hours ago
- The Australian
Hendra virus: Racing Queensland warning over July 2025 case
Racing Queensland has reiterated the importance of vaccination for thoroughbred horses following the first case of the deadly Hendra virus in southeast Queensland in three years. A horse in southeast Queensland has died after testing positive to the virus, Biosecurity Queensland officials confirmed on Sunday. Queensland Health is working to manage the health of people who came into contact with the horse given the virus can spread to humans and be fatal. In this new case, the horse was not vaccinated against Hendra virus. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'Racing Queensland recommends vaccination and disseminates information to its industry participants on prevention and appropriate management of any ill horses,' an RQ spokesman said. 'RQ understands the horse involved in this instance is not a racehorse.' There is no human vaccine for Hendra virus, although it is rare for humans to contract the deadly disease. 'While the virus can spread from horses to people, it is rare,' Queensland chief health officer Dr Heidi Carroll said. 'People assessed as having a high level of exposure to the infected horse will undergo prioritised testing.' The last time Henry virus was discovered in Queensland was in Mackay in 2022. Flying foxes can transmit Hendra virus to horses. Picture: Craig Wahurst Biosecurity Queensland said an unvaccinated horse tested positive for the virus last Friday and its 'condition rapidly deteriorated'. Hendra virus can be transmitted from flying fox to horse, and from horse to human. It was first discovered in 1994 when it swept through racing stables in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra, killing a trainer and 13 horses. Since then there have been 66 known outbreaks across Australia, with four people and 90 horses dying from the deadly virus. RQ has advised anyone concerned about possible infection to immediately contact their veterinarian and avoid contact with the horse until Hendra virus results are obtained. The risk of infection from Hendra virus may be minimised by: • Vaccinating horses – the highly-protective vaccine available for horses is the most effective way to manage Hendra virus disease risk; • Paddock management – remove feed and water from underneath trees frequented by flying foxes and move horses out of paddocks when trees attractive to flying foxes are flowering or fruiting; and • Practicing good hygiene when interacting with horses, including: Regularly washing hands with soap and water after touching horses, particularly before eating, smoking or touching your eyes, nose or mouth; covering wounds with a waterproof dressing; wearing personal protective equipment if contact with body fluids from a horse is likely; and washing unprotected skin with soap and water if it comes into contact with a horse's body fluids or manure. Read related topics: Vaccinations


Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
‘Breaking point': Nurses escalate action
Thousands of nurses and midwives across Queensland have escalated their campaign for fair wages and conditions, with stage 2 of protected industrial action officially under way. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union (QNMU) has confirmed members across all Queensland Health facilities will participate in targeted action, stepping back from a range of non-clinical duties while continuing to prioritise direct patient care. QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said members were sending a clear message to Health Minister Tim Nicholls that it was now time for a new, nation-leading offer. 'Today marks a historic step in our push for a deal that recruits, respects and retains this state's frontline nursing and midwifery workforce,' Ms Beaman said. 'Nurses and midwives are holding our health system together through sheer heart, skill and determination. 'We're at breaking point and we're done being disrespected.' QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said members were sending a clear message to Health Minister Tim Nicholls. Richard Walker Credit: News Corp Australia The latest action follows the union's rejection of the government's proposed 11 per cent pay rise over three years, with the QNMU instead pushing for a 13 per cent increase over the same period. The government's offer includes staged increases of 3 per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in both April 2026 and April 2027, and a final 3 per cent in December 2027. Mr Nicholls has described the proposal as a 'nation-leading' package that includes an 'Australian-first double-time-for-overtime care package'. However, Ms Beaman said the deal would strip Queensland's nurses and midwives of their long-held position as the highest paid in the country, a status they've maintained for 15 years. She said the workforce was now escalating action to 'keep Queenslanders safe.' 'We are over the state government's stalling tactics and gaslighting,' she said. Nurses are pushing for a 13 per cent increase over three years. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia Actions under stage 2 include not performing administrative and support duties such as filing, answering phones, cleaning equipment, moving beds or entering non-clinical data into hospital systems. The QNMU has also issued specific notices for additional actions in various wards and units across the state. The union confirmed it had provided Queensland Health with the required three full working days' notice to allow for contingency planning. The industrial action has been approved by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). Members will continue to document all clinical observations to ensure safe, continuous care. The QNMU said the latest action was in response to what it described as a failure by the government to uphold its written commitment to maintain nation-leading wages and conditions. It said that under the current offer, more than 36,000 of Queensland Health's 55,000 nurses and midwives would miss out on those wage standards. 'We have not taken this decision lightly, but the government has left us no choice,' Ms Beaman said. She said the protected industrial action is about making sure there were enough nurses and midwives to care for Queenslanders. 'Fair pay, safe conditions, respect. That's all we're asking,' Ms Beaman said. Nurses are not on strike. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia The first stage of industrial action began on June 5 with low-level visibility activities such as staff wearing pink or promotional shirts and email signature updates. Ms Beaman said the stage 2 action would be 'legal, safe, and targeted,' in response to what she described as ongoing disrespect and gaslighting from the LNP state government. She emphasised that while the action may cause some inconvenience for Queensland Health officials, patient safety would not be compromised. 'We dedicate our working lives to the provision of safe, quality health care. As such, patient safety remains our priority at all times,' she said. Ms Beaman said the stage 2 action would be 'legal, safe, and targeted'. Richard Walker Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Beaman clarified the action was not a strike and assured the public that nurses and midwives would remain on the job, continuing to deliver frontline care. 'Nurses and midwives will be focusing on direct patient care, rather than some of the many other additional duties which have been added to their workload over the years,' she said. 'Nurses and midwives will not suddenly abandon their professional obligations or their longstanding and demonstrated commitment to patients and their care. 'But we are standing strong and calling on this government to bring an end to the disrespect and dishonouring of its election commitment. 'The Premier promised frontline nurses and midwives he would respect them. It's time to make good that promise.' Mr Nicholls' office has been contacted for comment.