Port Douglas still safe
Port Douglas and Mossman still safe
Tuesday March 1 2015, 7:00am
In the past week, Dengue fever has spread to Innisfail and resurfaced in Edmonton bringing the number of confirmed cases in the Far North this season to 50.
Three new cases of locally acquired dengue have been linked to the Tully/El Arish outbreak with two of those cases in Innisfail.
The Dengue Action Response Team (DART) was in Innisfail last week killing mosquitos and removing breeding sites to minimise the risk of further transmission.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the Tully/El Arish outbreak to 36.
There has also been another confirmed case of locally acquired dengue in Edmonton bringing the number of confirmed cases in the Cairns outbreak to 14. Prior to this case the last known date that a person in Edmonton contracted dengue was 15 January.
Public Health Physician Dr Steven Donohue said the recent cases showed the need for people across the Far North to remain alert to dengue fever right until the outbreak has ended.
“This highlights the importance of people taking responsibility for their own property and health, particularly if they live in a dengue-affected suburb or town,” he said.
“This latest case in Edmonton indicates transmission has come when someone infected with dengue fever has travelled to the area, been bitten by a mosquito which later passed on the virus by biting another person.
“If you have mosquitos around your house, protect yourself, your family and your neighbours. Spray inside your house with surface spray, clear out water-holding containers your yard and use insect repellent.
Due to the possibility of there being additional undiagnosed cases in Edmonton; the DART team is conducting a wide response that continues this week with four response teams in the Edmonton area.
Dengue fever causes fever with severe headaches, muscle and joint pains, and other symptoms may include a rash, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Anyone with dengue like symptoms should go to a doctor immediately and get tested for dengue.
During the last dengue season, 136 people were infected with the mosquito-borne disease in the Cairns / Port Douglas area.
More information about dengue fever is available at www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue
