Spike in dengue fever has Cairns on alert

A spike in imported cases of dengue fever from an international tourism mecca has health authorities in Far North Queensland on alert.

Cairns Hospital has issued the alert after a spike in imported cases of dengue fever.

A spike in imported cases of dengue fever from an international tourism mecca has health authorities in the Far North on alert, with overseas travellers being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites.

Tropical Public Health Services Cairns has confirmed five cases of dengue fever in the region within the past fortnight, all imported from people travelling from Bali.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service region has been relatively dengue fever free since 2018, due to the success of the World Mosquito Program, which released mosquitoes infected with wolbachia bacteria into the wild starting in 2011.

The bacteria prevents Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from transmitting the dengue virus to humans.

The public health program has been rolled out to several other nations, however TPHS director Dr Jacqui Murdoch said dengue fever could still be imported from areas where wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were not widespread.

Overseas travellers have been urged to take precautions against mosquito bites. Picture: iStock

She said the WMP had been working since 2023 to “dengue-proof” Bali, but it would take several years for the wolbachia bacteria to establish widely in the Indonesian tourist isle’s mosquito populations.

“Dengue fever is still endemic in many nations such as Indonesia, so that means travellers should not be complacent about mosquito bites while travelling,” Dr Murdoch said.

“There are also other mosquito-borne diseases that people need to be wary of, such as Ross River virus, malaria, Barmah Forest virus and chikungunya.

“You don’t want to end your holiday with a terrible souvenir of a mozzie disease.

“Infection with mosquito borne diseases may cause illness ranging from mild to very serious.”

Dr Murdoch said there were simple things people could do to protect themselves and their family from mosquito bites, such as wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, and using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.

“If camping, sleep under a mosquito net; and use mosquito coils when outside,” she added.

She said mosquito bite prevention was still an important consideration at home, as mosquito borne diseases were still a risk, particularly during the wet season.

Cairns Hospital has been relatively dengue fever free since 2018. Picture: Brendan Radke

It comes after a series of dengue cases in the Torres Strait Islands in recent months, with the most recent detection on Erub (Darnley) Island.

Erub is the fourth island to experience dengue outbreaks so far this year, following previous outbreaks on Mer and Warraber islands in May and June, followed by Masig Island just last month.

Excluding the latest case on Erub, and possible suspected cases, 53 cases of dengue fever already have been recorded in the Torres Strait region so far this year.

The illness lasts up to a week. In some cases, fever and possibly worse symptoms may return for another two to three days.

Dengue ranges from mild or unnoticed (more often in children), to severe or even fatal cases.

Complications include shock (collapse from internal fluid loss) and haemorrhage (heavy bleeding).

See a doctor immediately if you or anyone in your family have symptoms of dengue.

Originally published as Spike in dengue fever has Cairns on alert