Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection affects 1 to 2 babies in every 500 births with a risk of having life-long health implications such as causing hearing and vision loss.
As a part of our commitment to our whānau who have children affected by congenital CMV, we recently partnered with the University of Auckland to stage a CMV Aotearoa Interest Group Forum with the aim of bringing people together who want to raise awareness of the effects of this infection.
More than 50 people attended last month’s event, including audiologists, midwives, educators, and researchers from various sectors, as well as families who joined us online from all over Aotearoa and Australia. As news of the event spreads, many others have expressed interest in joining this network.
Presentations and discussions highlighted a number of key areas for research into congenital CMV in New Zealand, including improving awareness and prevention, and screening strategies for early identification.
The importance of collaboration and co-designing research and clinical care was highlighted by two mothers who inspired the creation and development of the CMV Australia organisation. This organisation is welcoming New Zealand families to learn and share in support via its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/CMVAustraliasupport
Clinical director Dr Holly Teagle discussed the CMV clinics staged at The Hearing House which were designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for parents and family members of children with CMV to meet and learn more about understanding their child’s special needs.
It’s hoped to stage another CMV Aotearoa Interest Group forum with the University of Auckland later this year.
For more information, check out CMV Australia & New Zealand's website: https://www.cmv.org.au/
To watch the recorded CMV Aotearoa Forum June 22 2023 click: https://youtu.be/6R_ZcawqTuo
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