Jack Jumper Ant Allergy Info Sheet

JJANT Patient Support Group
www.jjant.info
Jack Jumper Ant Allergy
Jack Jumper ants (Myrmecia pilosula)
Jack Jumper ants, also known as ‘Jumping Jack’ ants, are a
venomous stinging ant native to Australia. They are a close
relative to bees and wasps and their venom is one of the most
powerful in the insect world.
Life-threatening Anaphylaxis
Their venom causes life-threatening anaphylactic allergic reactions in some people. Anaphylaxis to Jack
Jumper ant stings is not rare, 2-3% of the population have a generalised allergic reaction with around half of
those having a life threatening reaction. People with a history of an allergic reaction to a Jack Jumper sting
have a 70% risk of having a further reaction from another sting compared to 25-50% quoted for wasp stings.
JJANT Patient Support Group
In 2011, our patient support group was set up by a few families hoping to bring the Jack Jumper Ant
VIT(Venom Immunotheraphy Treatment) to Victoria for their children who suffer from the allergy. The Jack
Jumper allergy is of most concern in leafy suburbs that are the urban edge right out through country areas
where the ants are most prevalent. The ants are also very numerous in forests, parks and even alpine areas.
Our aim is to raise awareness about the allergy to Jack Jumpers in our communities
and to advocate for a treatment program of children and adult allergy sufferers in Victoria.
In the past three years, JJANT has had more than 439 supporters sign on to our website (www.jjant.info) of
which 259 have the necessity to carry an epi-pen. This has given us useful information, especially on where
the ants are causing problems and people's desire to have an immunotherapy treatment available to them
and their loved ones.
Allergy Treatment
Help is possible for allergy suffers. For the last 13+ years a very successful Jack Jumper Ant VIT (Venom
Immunotheraphy Treatment) program has been de-sensitising patients to the allergy at a dedicated clinic at
the Royal Hobart Hospital which is fully funded by the Tasmanian Government for the treatment of
Tasmanian residents.
In 2013, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) published a “Position
Statement: Jack Jumper Ant Venom Immunotherapy”. In this report, ASCIA reports on the extent of the
allergy problem, the research behind the JJA VIT treatment, and challenges associated with the treatment.
Ultimately, the ASCIA Position Statement concludes that in consideration of the ability to provide safe
treatment for Jack Jumper allergy sufferers there is a ‘standard of care’ that is already given to allergy
sufferers of other stinging insects like honeybees and European wasps that in consideration of ‘equity’
should also be provided to ant allergy sufferers.
“Australian Commonwealth and State Governments currently fund the provision of honeybee, European
wasp, and paper wasp VIT. In the interests of equity for JJA allergic people, ASCIA recommends that
Governments provide ongoing funding for any hospital clinical service that is competent to provide insect
VIT to supply JJA venom extract for VIT, and for hospitals in each affected state to provide JJA VIT
alongside VIT for other species of insect.”
We are calling on the Victorian Government to begin a coordinated approach to
improve understanding and awareness about this allergy and to allocate funding
for the ant venom so that VIT treatment for Jack Jumper ant allergy sufferers in
Victoria can begin as soon as possible.
Our children are suffering. We need your help!
If you or someone in your family has the allergy to Jack Jumper ants please join our group at
www.jjant.info. We will keep you informed about process in the JJA VIT treatment in Victoria and send you
information about the allergy and from time to time ask you to assist with getting the word out about the
allergy and our campaign for treatment. As we are a group run by concerned parents we appreciate any
help you can offer to help us move towards getting treatment for allergy-sufferers in Victoria.
Contact Us
Website: www.jjant.info
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @jackjumperants
Facebook: ‘Jack Jumper Ant Desensitisation Program wanted in Victoria’
Group Conveners: Michelle Madden 0419 536 736, Sera Blair 0418 258 808
More Information about the allergy:
 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/more-bite-for-research-into-jack-jumpers/story-fnjj6013-1227002102144
 http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/government-urged-to-fund-antivenom-treatment-for-jack-jumper-ant-stings20140706-zsxyc.html
 ABC ‘Catalyst’ segment: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3285529.htm
 ASCIA Position Statement: http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/papers/jack-jumper-ant-venom-immunotherapy
 http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/images/pdf/bites.pdf
 http://www.allergy.org.au/images/stories/aer/infobulletins/2010pdf/AER_Jack_Jumper_Ant_Allergy.pdf
Group News:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/ferntree-gully-mum-michelle-madden-continues-online-petition-for-jack-jumper-anttherapy-for-son-ryan/story-fngnvlxu-1226751340571
http://macedon-ranges-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/antidote-needed-for-rare-ant-bite/
http://www.maroondahweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/angst-over-jumper-ant-stings-in-mt-evelyn/2244186.aspx#
http://mountainviews.starcommunity.com.au/mail/2011-07-26/ant/
Ant Image © Farhan Bokhari

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