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Queensland Health's Tropical Public Health Unit has reported 40 confirmed and 15 probable cases of dengue fever in Cairns, up until 21 January 1998. Fourteen patients have been hospitalised.
The outbreak which began in December 1997 is due to dengue type 3 (outbreaks in northern Queensland in recent years have been due to dengue type 2). There appears to more than a single focus of infection. Residents have been advised to take action to stop mosquitoes breeding around their homes and to avoid being bitten. Mosquito control teams from the Tropical Public Health Unit and Cairns City Council are spraying in and around homes in the dengue warning area. Other recommendations include the screening of doors and windows to prevent mosquito entry and the use of personal insect repellent.
This article was published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Vol 22 No 1, January 1998.