Statement of Principles concerning ancylostomiasis No. 137 of 1995 (Cth)

Instrument No.137 of 1995

Statement of Principles

concerning

ANCYLOSTOMIASIS

ICD CODE: 126.0 & 126.1

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
subsection 196B(2)

1.         Being of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that ancylostomiasis and death from ancylostomiasis can be related to operational service rendered by veterans, peacekeeping service rendered by members of Peacekeeping forces and hazardous service rendered by members of the Forces, the Repatriation Medical Authority determines, under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act1986 (the Act), that the factors that must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting ancylostomiasis or death from ancylostomiasis with the circumstances of that service, are:

(a)       being in an area which is indigenous for ancylostomiasis, as identified in Schedule 1 or 2 before the clinical onset of ancylostomiasis; or

(b)       inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for ancylostomiasis.

2.         Subject to clause 3 (below) at least one of the factors set out in paragraphs 1(a) to 1(b) must be related to any service rendered by a person.

3.         The factor set out in paragraph 1(b) applies only where:

(a)       the person’s ancylostomiasis was contracted before a period, or part of a period, of service to which the factor is related; and

(b)       the relationship suggested between the ancylostomiasis and the particular service of a person is a relationship set out in paragraph 8(1)(e), 9(1)(e), 70(5)(d), or 70(5A)(d) of the Act.

4.         For the purposes of this Statement of Principles:

“ancylostomiasis” commonly known as hookworm disease, means a symptomatic infection in humans caused by Necator americanus (ICD code 126.1) or Ancylostoma duodenale (ICD code 126.0);

“ICD code” means a number assigned to a particular kind of injury or disease in the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision, effective date of 1 October 1993, copyrighted by the US Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities, and having the Library of Congress number 77-94472;

Schedule 1

In relation to infection by Ancylostoma duodenale—the area between the latitudes 30 degrees South and 36 degrees North of the Equator.

Schedule 2

In relation to infection by Necator americanus—the area between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer.

Dated this       Thirteenth        day of              April   1995

The Common Seal of the    )

Repatriation Medical Authority                   )

was affixed to this instrument   )

in the presence of:   )

KEN DONALD

CHAIRMAN