Plagues,
Pestilences and Diseases
Australia: New dengue fever outbreak declared in
Queensland's Innisfail
* From: AAP
* January 28, 2011 11:16AM
A NEW outbreak of dengue fever has been declared in the far north
Queensland town of Innisfail.
Queensland Health today declared an outbreak after receiving
confirmation at least one locally acquired case of the
mosquito-borne virus.
One resident has been diagnosed with the virus and authorities are
awaiting confirmation on another suspected case in the town.
Queensland Health Medical Director Dr Jeffrey Hanna urged
residents, particularly those in East Innisfail, to take steps to
prevent a repeat of the 2009 outbreak which resulted in 35
residents being diagnosed with the virus.
He urged residents to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to
clear up potential breeding zones around their property.
Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever causes 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," Dr Hanna said.
Meanwhile, an outbreak of the virus in the Cairns suburbs of
Parramatta Park and Westcourt has been declared over.
The outbreak was declared in September 2010 and resulted in 19
people contracting the virus.