Qld: Health experts warn of extre dengue cases after floods

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2000
Qld: Health experts warn of extre dengue cases after floods

BRISBANE, Feb 11 AAP - Tropical health experts today warned an outbreak of dengue fever
in the far north could worsen after the recent floods.

A tropical public health unit spokeswoman in Cairns said all mosquito-borne illnesses
had a tendency to increase in the wet season because of the larger number of breeding
sites.

Public health physician, Dr Jeffrey Hanna, said the different strain of dengue implicated
in the current outbreak at Machans Beach, near Cairns, could pose a serious health risk
to people infected in past outbreaks.

"People who acquire two different strains of dengue fever are at risk of acquiring
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, which is potentially fatal," Dr Hanna said in a statement.

"For this reason, it is particularly important that residents take action to prevent
this disease from spreading.

"They should ensure that no mosquitoes are breeding around their house - eliminating
breeding sites is the key to preventing further spread of the disease."

AAP jhm/sc/ej

KEYWORD: MOSQUITOES

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