The number of dengue cases in Port Douglas continues to creep up with 12 cases now having been confirmed.

And Cairns' battle to control the disease is also progressing with 77 cases confirmed since the December outbreak.

Richard Gair, Director of Cairns Public Health Unit told The Newsport said efforts were being made to stop the disease becoming a part of everyday life in the tropics.

"An outbreak can last for as little as two weeks up to months and months. It depends whether we're able to interrupt transmission or not and that's what we're trying to do with all the prevention measures we're taking," he said.

"We're trying to get rid of the outbreaks early so it doesn't become an ongoing thing."

Meanwhile, Cairns Regional Council has received a truckload of insect repellent to help residents to protect themselves against dengue fever.

Reckitt Benckiser, the parent company of Aeroguard, has donated 15 pallets (26,000 individual tubes) of insect repellent gel, with half being allocated for distribution to the public.

“We will give them away via Council’s libraries and customer service centres,” Council’s Environmental Assessment Manager Carole Todd said.

“People will be able to drop in and pick up a free tube to help in the defence against dengue.”

Queensland Health will also distribute donated repellent during inspections of premises in and around dengue “hot spots”.

Ms Todd said wearing insect repellent during the day was one of several key components in dengue prevention.

“It is important to combine this with the use of a surface spray in dark hiding places under and behind furniture,” she said. “Tipping out water from potential breeding sites is also essential to help prevent dengue.”

Symptoms of dengue fever can include sudden onset of fever, intense headache and pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rash and fatigue.

Anyone who does suspect they may be experiencing symptoms of dengue fever should seek medical attention.

In the Douglas region, free insect repellent gel tubes are now available from the Port Douglas library kiosk (open 1pm-5pm on Tuesdays and 9am- 1pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays).

For more information on dengue fever and tips on protecting yourself and your home, visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au or www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue