More Australians to suffer from allergy

Tuesday, 27 May 2008 18:23

During the recent Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 11-17), Maria Said, president of consumer lobby group Anaphylaxis Australia, announced that on current projections, the number of people in Australia with allergies would nearly double to 7.7 million in just over 40 years.

Ms Said reported that currently about 10 Australians die each year and thousands of others require emergency treatment as a result of largely preventable anaphylactic reactions. Her recommendations included government recognition of severe allergy as a growing public health issue and the impact it would have on Australia's future.

The Anaphylaxis Australia Food Allergy Awareness Week media release can be accessed at www.allergyfacts.org.au