Thursday, 22 February 2024

World Encephalitis Day

Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs) (09:59): Today, 22 February, is World Encephalitis Day, the global awareness day for people who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis – people like Debbie Burke, a young mother in my electorate who lost her beautiful mum Cathy to encephalitis in May last year. Debbie is determined to raise awareness about this disease, a disease which causes an inflammation of the brain through infection or a person’s own immune system attacking the brain in error. It can have a sudden onset, and unfortunately it is commonly misdiagnosed as a stroke. Awareness, early diagnosis and treatment will save lives and improve outcomes for people.

I am honoured to acknowledge Debbie for her campaign, starting locally in my electorate, to raise awareness of this devastating condition. I was inspired to meet Debbie and her family and friends, all dressed in red, last Sunday at the eighth Carrum Coast Guard Around the River Fun Run, and today, thanks to Debbie, the Kingston town hall will be lit up red like other landmarks the world over. Debbie, you are an inspiration. Thank you for bringing attention to this disease, encephalitis, a disease that 77 ‍per cent of people worldwide do not even know about. You are changing that, and you are making a difference.