Health Services Portfolio Report - 20 April 2016

Mosquito Control

Queensland Health notified the South Burnett Regional Council of an imported Dengue Fever case in the Murgon and Kingaroy area just before Easter 2016.

This was of great concern given that the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is responsible for the transmission of Dengue Fever had been found to be present in the Murgon Township a couple of years ago. Since initially finding the mosquito two years ago Council instigated a regular surveillance and monitoring program to track how far the infestation had occurred. This information was crucial in providing an effective response to this case.

Environmental Services undertook inspections at the specific houses where the affected individual had stayed at Murgon and Kingaroy. Inspections of neighbouring properties at both locations were also carried out. The Murgon Hospital property was also inspected as the person concerned had presented to the hospital when unwell.

Thankfully no breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes was found at the time of inspection.
Treatment of potential breeding sites, which were identified during the inspection, was undertaken as a preventative protection measure.

The person who had contracted Dengue Fever was provided information on what to do in order to protect others within the community from the potential of transmission. The affected person was co-operative with the measures requested of them.

The dengue virus is spread through a human-to-mosquito-to-human cycle of transmission. Typically, four days after being bit by an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, a person will develop a high level of the dengue virus in the blood, with levels remaining high for approximately five days, but possibly as long as twelve days.

Given the period for concern over the potential for transmission has passed, Council has resumed its regular surveillance and monitoring program around the South Burnett, albeit it with a heightened focus given the recent circumstances.