Aussies on Dengue alert as mosquitoes multiply
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Aussies on Dengue alert as mosquitoes multiply*
By Tara Ravens
November 13, 2006 07:25pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - AN outbreak of mosquitoes carrying the potentially fatal
dengue fever in an Aboriginal community has sparked a major health alert
in the Northern Territory.
The NT Government is taking urgent steps to eradicate the mosquitoes,
which have established a breeding population on Groote Eylandt in the
Gulf of Carpentaria.
There have been no cases of dengue fever on the island, but the NT
Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) fears the disease
could spread elsewhere.
"People should be conscious that mosquito eggs, larvae or adult
mosquitoes could be spread to other towns in the NT," said senior
medical entomologist Peter Whelan.
"We need to keep the NT free of dengue mosquitoes to prevent dengue
outbreaks such as those that have occurred recently in north Queensland
and in other nations around the Pacific and Indian Ocean."
Mr Whelan said a public information campaign on the island had begun
along with an eradication project, which could take up to two years.
"Immediate steps are being taken to eradicate the importation by
surveying and spraying all possible water-holding receptacles in
Alyangula and other communities on Groote Eylandt to kill its eggs," he
said.
People on the island who find mosquito wrigglers in containers or
receptacles are being urged to contact DHCS or the GEMCO Environmental
Officer.
Mr Whelan also warned that old tyres, boats, plastic sheeting,
tarpaulins, building materials, discarded household containers and
blocked or damaged roof gutters could be breeding sites.
"Any receptacles holding water should be turned upside down or emptied
and stored under cover until the eradication team are notified and can
treat it," he said.
"No receptacle that has held water should be moved from one location to
another on Groote Eylandt until treated to kill mosquito eggs."
A DHCS special egg trap found traces of the exotic dengue mosquito on
November 3, and following surveys found them at eight different premises
in the residential area of Alyangula.
"The extent of the infestation indicates that the mosquito has been in
the town for at least a few weeks to possibly a few months," Mr Whelan said.
"They may have been brought in as eggs in a receptacle from an
international location or from north Queensland."
Surveys will begin in Alyangula on November 13 and repeat rounds of
intense survey and treatment will continue for a few months.