New dengue outbreak in north Queensland

12th November 2009

A NEW outbreak of dengue fever has hit north Queensland just two months after the state was declared free of the virus.

Queensland Health has confirmed a locally acquired transmission of type one of the virus in the Townsville suburb of Garbutt.

Three people have also been treated for the virus in Cairns after acquiring the virus in Asia but there have been no reported local transmissions in the city.

The new dengue cases come after Queensland Health declared the end of the biggest outbreak of the virus in 50 years in September.

More than 1,000 people across north Queensland were infected with the virus during the outbreak, which began in November last year, including an elderly woman who died due to complications in March.

Experts have warned early summer rains and expected hot and humid conditions over the coming weeks will be the prefect breeding ground for mosquitoes early in the dengue season.

"It's ideal for dengue mosquitoes - it's priming us, if you like, for dengue outbreaks," Queensland Health's tropical population health services medical director Dr Jeffrey Hanna said.

Dengue is not normally fatal on the first infection although its debilitating symptoms - which some have likened to being prodded with red hot pokers - can last for several weeks.

More worryingly, an infection with a second strain of dengue can lead to the more deadly dengue hemorrhagic fever.

The 931 people infected in the far north with strain three of the virus during last year's outbreak are at risk of severe complications if infected this year.

"There is a larger number of people who have been exposed to dengue - those people would be acutely aware of the precautions they need to take," TPHS senior medical entomologist Brian Montgomery said.

North Queensland residents have been urged to remove potential mosquito breeding grounds by emptying containers holding water, clearing roof gutters and throwing away fallen palm fronds.

Officials fear dengue fever moving south

Dengue fever breakthrough achieved