The number of confirmed dengue cases in Port Douglas has risen to eight as Queensland Health workers go from street to street in an attempt to prevent further spread of the debilitating disease.

The Dengue Action Response Team (DART) has been visiting homes within the high risk area to spray areas where the dengue mosquitos breed.

Homes within Port Douglas' Four Mile area have been targeted over the last few days, however, DART staff were visiting homes in Reef Park yesterday.

According to Queensland Health, the dengue cases confirmed in Port Douglas is Type 1 dengue and is highly likely to be linked to the Cairns outbreak of Type 1 dengue which began in December 2012.

Pictured: DART team Dave, Brett, and Emma in Port Douglas yesterday.

Public Health Medical Director Dr Steven Donohue said it was important that residents with dengue symptoms go to a GP immediately and get tested.

“These new cases are a crucial reminder that people need to seek medical attention if they think they might have dengue,” Dr Donohue said.

“This will help target our mosquito control efforts and help stem the current dengue outbreak.”

Dengue fever causes sudden fever with severe headaches, muscle and joint pains, and cases may have vomiting and diarrhoea, or a rash.

Dr Greg Devine, Director of Entomology with Tropical Public Health Services. said dengue is spread by infected mosquitoes of only one type, which breeds in and around houses.

“The dengue mosquito is an urban mosquito that doesn’t breed in swamps or rivers so the usual tourist activities of going to the reef and visiting the rainforest carry no risk,” Dr Devine said.

“The dengue mosquito feeds during the day and visitors to the region are advised to wear insect repellent to help reduce their risk.

“With the recent rains and warm temperatures, I also strongly urge all Cairns and Port Douglas residents to take the same preventative steps,” Dr Devine said.

Two separate Cairns dengue fever outbreaks (Type 1 and Type 3) started in December 2012 and now have 81 reported cases in Cairns. Port Douglas joins Cairns North, Whitfield, Parramatta Park, Edge Hill, Manoora, Manunda, Mt Sheridan and Woree as a high risk dengue outbreak area.

Tips to avoid dengue

• Avoid mosquitoes by using repellent, wear light coloured clothing, and use mozzie zappers and coils around the home to kill and repel mosquitoes.
• Regularly check your yard for mosquito breeding. Tip out, flush out, throw away, or store and dry, any containers capable of holding water in which mosquitoes can breed tyres, buckets, toys, self-watering pots, and pot plant bases.
• Use indoor surface spray inside the home to kill mosquitoes where they like to hide (behind and under furniture, behind curtains, in dark corners).

More information about dengue fever is available at www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue

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