Residents urged to take precautions against dengue
With the number of dengue cases continuing to climb hand in hand with recent heavy rainfalls, Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) Health Officers are urging residents to eliminate potential dengue mosquito breeding grounds to prevent an outbreak here.
As of yesterday 304 dengue cases had been confirmed in Cairns and 50 cases in Townsville.
CCRC Manager, Environmental Health, Geoff Wilson said the dengue mosquito was drawn to breeding in water-holding containers in buildings, homes and backyards, such as cans, buckets, jars, vases, pot plants, tyres, roof gutters and tarpaulins, as well as bromeliads and fallen palm fronds.
“As the dengue mosquito does not fly very far, it is important that residents identify potential breeding sites in their homes and back yards, remove or check these sites regularly, and tip out water that has collected at these sites at least once a week,” Mr Wilson advised.
The dengue mosquito prefers to live (and bite) people indoors.
“It likes to hide in dark areas, such as under furniture, including beds, in wardrobes and closets, behind cupboards, on piles of dirty laundry and inside containers,” Mr Wilson observed.
He said there was a range of precautions that residents could take, in order to reduce the risk of being bitten by the dengue mosquito.
“The options include applying mosquito repellent; using plug-in insect zappers indoors; installing insect screens in sleeping and living areas; wearing long, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors; and using cockroach surface spray indoors, where the mosquito is likely to lurk,” Mr Wilson advised.
Residents should also be aware of the symptoms of Common Dengue fever, which include the onset of fever (lasting three to seven days), intense headache, muscle and joint pain, an unpleasant metallic taste in mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, flushed skin, a rash on the arms and legs, minor bleeding of nose and gums and extreme fatigue.
“Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately,” Mr Wilson said.
For more information, residents can visit the Queensland Health website.