Senator MELZER —My question is addressed to the Minister representing the Minister for Health. It now has been shown that golden staph is the link between the use of tampons and toxic shock syndrome that has been the cause of death of many women in America and in Europe. It is now evident that Australian women are affected and it has been shown that golden staph was present in unused tampons, part of a pack used by a woman who was taken to hospital seriously ill with toxic shock syndrome. One New Zealand firm has withdrawn one brand from sale in Australia. Will the Government therefore have all these products withdrawn from sale until they are proved safe to use and will it urgently increase research into the problem?

Senator PETER BAUME —The honourable senator first raised this matter in the Senate last December, at which stage I think only two cases had been reported overseas and none had been reported in Australia. During the recess a larger number of cases started to be reported around the world.

The first two confirmed cases of toxic shock syndrome in Australia occurred in Melbourne and Launceston. The States and Territories were notified following the first case and the NHMRC-the National Health and Medical Research Council-then issued a Press statement. Both the patients identified had used Carefree Super tampons manufactured in New Zealand by Johnson and Johnson. The Australian branch of the company recalled all stocks of New Zealand made tampons, back to retail level. Microbiological and chemical investigations on various tampons are now being conducted by the NBSL-the National Biological Standards Laboratory-in Canberra and by State research institutions.

The Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta in the United States of America has been notified of the Australian cases and has been requested to provide information on any tampon contamination discovered in the United States. Details of the first case have been published in the departmental publication Communicable Diseases Intelligence. Discussions are now being held with manufacturers and importers of tampons. I think the Department of Health is keeping a very close watching brief. The appropriate government authorities are determining whether further advice needs to be given. The honourable senator will recall that I said all stocks of the tampon in question were withdrawn by Johnson and Johnson. I assure her that the investigation is being taken very seriously.

Senator MELZER —I ask a supplementary question. I gather that the answer to my question is: 'No, the Government will not withdraw materials from sale until they have been proved safe and the Government will not increase urgent research into these problems'.

Senator PETER BAUME —First of all, I repeat what I said: A large number of tampons have been withdrawn. I think the other parts of the honourable senator's question as to whether there should be a more general withdrawal from sale or whether more general measures should be taken should be referred to my colleague, the Minister for Health, to see whether he has anything to add.