Fears that Australian aborigines will succumb to flu

Calcutta News.Net
Saturday 4th July, 2009

Swine flu cases in Australia have soared past the 4,500 mark, and authorities are worried about the health of the country’s indigenous aborigines.

The medical journal, The Lancet, has warned that the risk of indigenous groups contracting the potentially deadly respiratory disease is high because they are more likely to be malnourished and living in poverty.

The journal has listed Australian aborigines and
Native American Indians as being especially at risk.

One Aboriginal man in Australia has already died from the infection, while Native Indians in Canada have seen many cases.

Researchers have said the Aboriginal people may be more vulnerable to the swine flu due to poor diet and the widespread use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

They have said another problem faced by aboriginal communities is lack of medical workers in isolated communities, where aboriginal people are more likely to dwell.

Have your say on this story