DENGUE virus has broken out in Queensland for the first time this year after a traveller brought it into the state from Papua New Guinea.
Townsville Public Health Unit has confirmed the first case of locally acquired dengue, making it the first outbreak this wet season.
The Pallarenda resident was confirmed as having dengue today. They caught it after a mosquito transmitted it from a person who came back to the neighbourhood two weeks ago from Papua New Guinea with dengue.
“The case is also being tested for Zika virus which has so far not been transmitted in Australia by dengue mosquitoes, so this is highly unlikely,” a Queensland Health spokeswoman said.
Public Health Physician Dr Steven Donohue said the next few weeks “marked a vital period in
minimising transmission”.
“The recent rains and the hot temperatures during the day are ideal breeding conditions for the
mosquito that spreads dengue,” Dr Donohue said.
“Dengue mosquitoes are not the ones that come from salt marshes or the bush. They breed in
junk and containers such as pot plant bases around your home.”
“I am really asking the community today to make sure they cover off on the basics of dengue prevention. It’s time to kill dengue mosquitoes at home, not just to prevent them breeding.”
Dengue mosquitoes only bred around homes and in urban areas, not in swamps or creeks.
Residents should check their yards weekly for mosquito breeding and tip out still water where mosquitoes can breed.
Other tips include:
• use indoor surface spray, mozzie zappers and coils around the house to discourage dengue mosquitoes and avoid being bitten.
• If a team of professionals arrive and offer to spray your place, let them do so. Common dengue-mosquito breeding sites include tyres, buckets, toys and pot-plant bases.Residents are also urged to ensure roof gutters are not blocked and breeding mosquitoes.
Dengue fever has many symptoms including sudden fever, extreme tiredness, intense headaches, muscle and joint pain and loss of appetite.