The virus sweeping the world will be treated in the same way as dengue fever in Queensland if a case was detected here.
“What’s good for dengue is good for Zika,” Health Minister Cameron Dick declared yesterday, following a meeting of national experts in Brisbane who strategised the state’s response to the outbreaks overseas.
People with dengue are told to isolate themselves to a screened or airconditioned room to minimise the chance of being bitten by a mosquito, to halt the spread.
There is no medical treatment for Zika, which is a mild illness for most people, but can cause serious birth defects in babies if their mother contracts the virus while pregnant.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young urged residents or tourists who were ill after travelling overseas to immediately see their GP.
After the concern is raised with a doctor, authorities will immediately begin mapping the person’s movements through the community, and contact with mosquitoes, even before a test result is returned.
“We want to pick up any person coming in with the virus as quickly as possible so you can control the mosquitoes that are near that person,” Dr Young said.
The Government will introduce several measures to reduce Queensland’s risk of an outbreak.
Pathologists in Townsville will be given resources to test for Zika virus so doctors can have results quicker.
Previously, all tests for Zika had to be sent to Brisbane.
A public health campaign will be launched. It will target the north of the state, particularly the large Brazilian community in Cairns. In southeast Queensland, South Pacific island communities will be targeted because of their likelihood of travelling to countries where the virus is rampant.
The type of mosquito that can harbour Zika is a housebound insect found in north Queensland.
Mr Dick stressed the onus was on individuals to protect themselves by removing stagnant water around houses.
“Stop the breeding and stop the biting – that’s what we can do as individuals,” Mr Dick said.