A Project for the Establishment of a JJA Desensitisation Program in Victoria

This website was established from a chance meeting of 3 people whose lives are affected by anaphylactic reactions to the Jack Jumper Ant (JJA) and inspired by their common goal of getting a JJA Desensitisation Program established in Victoria.

The Jack Jumper Ant is a close relative to bees & wasps. It is the most dangerous native ant known in Australia and its venom is one of the most powerful in the insect world. Jack Jumpers are widely found in the eastern states of Australia and are on the move.

We have found that excellent medical research has been done on the allergic reactions that can result from JJA stings. There is very successful desensitisation program that has been running in Tasmania for some years now with fantastic results for sufferers

Currently there is very little data on how widespread this problem is in Victoria but we suspect that there are many people affected.

To get a desensitisation program running in Victoria, we need to show that there is a real demand from sufferers of JJA allergy for proper medical treatment.

To do this WE NEED YOU to Get Involved. Please complete the form to the right of this page.

Who Are We?

Catherine Crock: a physician in Adolescent Health and Haematology at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne and Executive Director of the Australian Institute for Patient and Family Centred Care, Catherine had an emergency dash herself into a country hospital with severe anaphylaxis as a result of a jack jumper sting in 2011.

Michelle Madden: a mother whose young son, Ryan, presented to the local hospital emergency dept with clear and established anaphylaxis needing adrenaline to be administered, early February 2011 Read more of Ryan's story by clicking here

Colin Sheppard: an ophthalmologist in private practice whose wife who had a severe anaphylatic reaction to a jack jumper sting and who required hospital treatment in 2010.

Links to more info:

National Botanic Gardens
Wikipedia
Allergy.org.au
ABC's Catalyst Segment on Jack Jumper Ants
Article in the Medical Journal of Australia written by Prof Simon Brown who set the program up in Tasmania

Media Articles:

Ferntree Gully boy jumpy over killer ants
Mum's plea for cure funds
Mountain Views article
Mt Evelyn ant angst
Antidote needed for rare ant bite
Families on guard for ant stings
Woman suffers cardiac arrest after bug bites
That's Life! magazine article

Thanks to:

Alex Wild for the Jack Jumper image used in our banner.

Help us to establish a desensitisation program

*Your name:
Age:
Address:
Town/Suburb:
*Your email address:
Mobile number:
Phone number:
How do you prefer to be contacted?
Please advise any suburbs/areas where you have seen Jack Jumper Ants

optional extra info:
Do you carry an Epi-Pen?
Are you under an Allergist?
Have you had allergy confirmed by blood test?
Would you be willing to have your story in the media?
How did you hear about this site?
[if other please specify]
Do you give authorisation for the use of your details in a petition?
Your questions/comments:
We respect your privacy and will not use your details in any other way than its intended use.

 

jack jumper ants in victoria
Jack Jumper Ant areas in Victoria.