Australia's Queensland Health has urged Townsville visitors and residents to be ‘dengue aware’ following the clean-up afterCyclone Yasi.
Townsville Public Health Unit medical officer Dr Steven Donohue said there was at least one active outbreak in the city before the cyclone hit – a dengue type 1 outbreak in Cranbrook ( a local suburb) – which now seems to be spreading.
And he warned that Townsville was heading into a ‘dangerous period’ over the next few weeks.
“So far there have been five confirmed cases in Cranbrook, plus at least two confirmed cases in other suburbs that might represent further outbreaks,” Donohue said. The type of dengue in the two new cases is not yet known.
“Cyclones often interrupt dengue outbreaks, by killing dengue mosquitoes and washing out their breeding sites – but that has not happened since Cyclone Yasi.
“Although these outbreaks started before Cyclone Yasi, with moderate rains and more waste lying around, blocked roof gutters and fallen palm fronds, dengue mosquitoes now are breeding fast.
"We already have dengue in town, and people also are carrying in the virus from places like Bali."
Queensland Health and local government vector control officers have actioned yard inspections in Townsville this week, and are setting traps to kill dengue mosquitoes.
Dengue fever causes sudden fever with headaches, which can be severe, muscle and joint pains, a rash and in some cases, vomiting and diarrhoea.
“Many people feel absolutely dreadful, and say that they are just too sick to move,” said Donohue.
“Anyone with suspected dengue fever should immediately see their doctor."
Other dengue in the region includes outbreaks of dengue type 2 (24 cases) and type 4 (five cases), both in Innisfail, and a recent, possibly inactive, outbreak of dengue type 2 in Hermit Park and Mundingburra.
More information about dengue fever is available at
Australia's Queensland Health has urged Townsville visitors and residents to be ‘dengue aware’ following the clean-up afterCyclone Yasi.
Townsville Public Health Unit medical officer Dr Steven Donohue said there was at least one active outbreak in the city before the cyclone hit – a dengue type 1 outbreak in Cranbrook ( a local suburb) – which now seems to be spreading.
And he warned that Townsville was heading into a ‘dangerous period’ over the next few weeks.
“So far there have been five confirmed cases in Cranbrook, plus at least two confirmed cases in other suburbs that might represent further outbreaks,” Donohue said. The type of dengue in the two new cases is not yet known.
“Cyclones often interrupt dengue outbreaks, by killing dengue mosquitoes and washing out their breeding sites – but that has not happened since Cyclone Yasi.
“Although these outbreaks started before Cyclone Yasi, with moderate rains and more waste lying around, blocked roof gutters and fallen palm fronds, dengue mosquitoes now are breeding fast.
"We already have dengue in town, and people also are carrying in the virus from places like Bali."
Queensland Health and local government vector control officers have actioned yard inspections in Townsville this week, and are setting traps to kill dengue mosquitoes.
Dengue fever causes sudden fever with headaches, which can be severe, muscle and joint pains, a rash and in some cases, vomiting and diarrhoea.
“Many people feel absolutely dreadful, and say that they are just too sick to move,” said Donohue.
“Anyone with suspected dengue fever should immediately see their doctor."
Other dengue in the region includes outbreaks of dengue type 2 (24 cases) and type 4 (five cases), both in Innisfail, and a recent, possibly inactive, outbreak of dengue type 2 in Hermit Park and Mundingburra.
More information about dengue fever is available at
