| Australia | The smallest continent and the only one existing as an independent country, comprising six states and one territory. Its capital is canberra. It was first sighted by the spanish in the early 17th century and at that time explored by the dutch who named it new holland. Stories dating from the 2d century a.d. Tell of a "terra australis incognita", unknown southern land. In the 19th century, the continent was circumnavigated by the english explorer matthew finders, who gave it its original name modified as terra australis (no longer "incognita"), shortened later to Australia. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| Australia antigen | <virology> An envelope antigen now known as HBsAg of Hepatitis B virus. Appearance of the antigen in serum is associated with a phase of high infectivity. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Australian Q fever | A variety of Q fever occurring in Australia; an acute infectious rickettsial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii and transmitted by ticks, enzootic in animals in Australia, especially bandicoots. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Australian X disease | A severe encephalitis with a high mortality rate occurring in the Murray Valley of Australia; the disease is most severe in children and is characterised by headache, fever, malaise, drowsiness or convulsions, and rigidity of the neck; extensive brain damage may result; it is caused by the Murray Valley encephalitis virus (genus Flavivirus). Synonym: Australian X disease, Australian X encephalitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Australian X disease virus | A group B arbovirus of the genus Flavivirus that causes Murray Valley encephalitis; it is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, and also infects birds and horses. Synonym: Australian X disease virus, MVE virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Australian X encephalitis | A severe encephalitis with a high mortality rate occurring in the Murray Valley of Australia; the disease is most severe in children and is characterised by headache, fever, malaise, drowsiness or convulsions, and rigidity of the neck; extensive brain damage may result; it is caused by the Murray Valley encephalitis virus (genus Flavivirus). Synonym: Australian X disease, Australian X encephalitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| western Australia | A state in western Australia. Its capital is perth. It was first visited by the dutch in 1616 but the english took possession in 1791 and permanent colonization began in 1829. It was a penal settlement 1850-1888, became part of the colonial government in 1886, and was granted self government in 1890. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| south Australia | A state in south central Australia. Its capital is adelaide. It was probably first visited by f. Thyssen in 1627. Later discoveries in 1802 and 1830 opened up the southern part. It became a british province in 1836 with this self-descriptive name and became a state in 1901. (12 Dec 1998) |