A medicine shortage occurs when there is unlikely to be enough of a medicine in Australia for the people who need to take it. Suppliers must report shortages of prescription medicines and a small number of over-the-counter medicines to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Natural disasters like storms, cyclones, floods, or fire can be very frightening and upsetting for babies and young children. Playing a therapeutic game or reading a story with a caring adult can help a young child work through the scary experiences and ‘big feelings’.

It is common to experience a range of intense emotions following a traumatic event like a natural disaster. Some people may have experienced the event physically. Others may be affected in other ways whether it be concern about family and friends, hearing about people’s experiences during flooding, or extra workloads caused by the adverse event.

Fine smoke particles can cause health problems like itchy or burning eyes, throat irritation, a runny nose, and illnesses like bronchitis. They can also aggravate existing lung conditions, like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Symptoms can occur for several days after smoke is inhaled.

Environmental conditions after floods and cyclones increase the risk for infectious diseases.