MON 27 JUN 2005
By ANNE MATHER
Every time 13-year-old Jarrah Wilson steps out of his front door, his life is in danger.
He dares not play at parks, does not go to the beach and cannot even sit in his school playground.
Like thousands of Tasmanians, Jarrah Wilson has a severe allergy to the common jack jumper ant.
Jarrah has suffered severe reactions after two stings and a third bite could prove fatal.
Although world-class Tasmanian research has discovered a successful vaccine for people sensitive to jack jumpers, funding restraints mean few people have access to the cure.
The vaccine trial, which is nearing completion, has already run out of money and without more funding the research—and the vaccine—will be left in limbo.
Continued …
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