June is CMV Awareness Month, an annual global campaign dedicated to educating the public about Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that is a leading cause of birth defects and childhood disabilities worldwide.
Hear and Say is proud to stand alongside families, clinicians and researchers in raising awareness of CMV and its potential impact on children and families.
CMV is a common virus that usually causes few or no symptoms in healthy adults. However, when a baby is infected during pregnancy, congenital CMV can lead to serious health complications, including permanent hearing loss, developmental delays and vision impairment. In fact, CMV is one of the leading causes of non-genetic hearing loss in children.
We’re also inspired by the groundbreaking work of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), whose researchers are working towards developing a vaccine to prevent congenital CMV.
“Their work represents hope for future generations and a powerful step toward reducing the impact of CMV on children and families,” said Emma Rushbrooke, Chief Clinical Officer at Hear and Say.
“At Hear and Say, we see firsthand the importance of early identification and intervention for children with hearing loss. Early detection can make a significant difference, helping children develop listening, spoken language and communication skills that support lifelong learning and connection.“
That’s why continued research, increased awareness and improved screening are so important. Together, they offer the opportunity to reduce the impact of CMV and ensure more children receive the support they need as early as possible.
Together, we can help create a future with fewer children affected by CMV-related hearing loss and other complications.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to connect with their family, friends and community. Raising awareness of CMV is one step towards making that future possible,” Emma said.
For more information and research about CMV and its impact on children and families, watch this insightful webinar from the Centre for Community Child Health: https://www.ccch.org.au/learning-and-resources/