A declaration has been made by Queensland Health yesterday regarding the two dengue fever outbreaks in Townville last year, saying that they are confirmed to be over. The last cases of dengue reported in Queensland were reported three months ago.

During the outbreaks that occurred in November and early December, a total of 13 cases were reported. Steven Donohue, public health medical officer stated that there were two imported cases earlier this year and there is a possibility of additional new cases.

He continued with a statement saying that, There is a permanent threat, the wet season isn't even over and there is no way that we can detect every person who comes into Australia suffering or incubating the virus because it is rampant across most of the tropical world.

Over 1000 people from Cape York to Townville had contracted the virus during the last wet season. Ever since November, only three outbreak cases were recorded. In Tully, south of Cairns, where a local woman had contracted the virus a month ago, health authorities are now extending their monitoring efforts there.

A combination of efforts between Queensland Health, council, GPs and the general public had proven to be advantageous in controlling the spread of virus this season.

Dr Donohue believed that these efforts made a real difference, representing collective workloads of previous months. He said that it is good news that we are capable of putting the dengue outbreaks to a stop.

Australia Medicine