Douglas Shire residents are being urged to eliminate any potential dengue breeding sites before Easter with five new cases confirmed in far north Queensland. 

The mosquito-borne disease has been identified in Cairns North and Woree, taking the total confirmed cases in the region to 130 since the current outbreak was declared in December last year.

James Cook University's Dr Scott Ritchie said Tropical Cyclone Ita made conditions ideal for mosquito breeding.

"We've had a lot of rain but also there's stuff that gets blown around and it makes it a slightly riskier situation that there's stagnant water about," Dr Ritchie said. 

Mosquito numbers were likely to rise by the start of next week in rainforest areas like Daintree Village and Cape Tribulation, Dr Ritchie said. 

Where possible, he said people should be wearing insect repellent when outside. 

"Hopefully that's what people do," Dr Ritchie said. 

"We had a big rain last weekend so next week there's a strong likelihood they'll be coming out."

Tropical Public Health Service's Dr Sonia Harmen said aedes aegypti mosquitoes - the mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue fever - often breed around people's homes. 

"Any stagnant water has the potential to be a breeding and there is a lot of water around so we are quite concerned," she said. 

"Even though we're getting into the cooler weather there's still the potential [for the dengue outbreak] to drag on."

Ms Harmen said rain or floodwater may have collected in containers around back yards and encouraged homeowners to tip any containers out and keep them dry.

Common mosquito breeding sites include:

• toys

• pot plant bases (inside and outside)

• palm fronds

• buckets

• tin cans and plastic containers

• coconut shells.

Dr Ritchie said people should visit a doctor if they feel they have dengue-like symptoms. 

Ensuring fly screens aren't torn is another step in dengue prevention, he said.

"Maybe even surface spray with the kind of stuff you can get in stores, to get into those nooks and crannys if you're really worried," Dr Ritchie said. 

For more information about dengue fever and information on the current outbreak visit www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue.