Government launches critical new weapon in fight against syphilis

Source: National Indigenous Times, Wendy Caccetta, 8 August 2018

The Federal Government has begun rolling out what it says is a critical new weapon in the fight against the deadly syphilis outbreak which has gripped northern Australia.

Federal Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt said from today on-the-spot syphilis tests would be available in three high risk regions — Townsville, Cairns and Darwin.

The instant tests allow people to be diagnosed straight away and to be treated immediately, rather than have to wait a fortnight for results from traditional blood tests.

“These tests are a critical weapon in the fight to curb and control the spread of syphilis,” Mr Wyatt said.

Three thousand test kits have been sent to the Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service, 3,000 to the Wuchopperen Health Service in Cairns and 4,000 to the Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin.

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