Eleven staff members at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, became unwell on July 23, 2026, following the accidental release of an outdoor insect repellent. The incident led to the closure of a dozen emergency department beds as a precaution.
According to SA Health, the repellent was inadvertently discharged in a non-clinical area, causing respiratory irritation among staff. Emergency services responded, and affected individuals were treated on-site; none required hospitalization.
The hospital's emergency department remained operational, though bed closures temporarily reduced capacity. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the release and to prevent future occurrences.
