Q. How can I reduce the risk of dengue?
Q. What are the types of dengue?
Q. What are the symptoms of dengue?
Q. What is dengue haemorrhagic fever?
Q. What should I do if I think I have dengue?
Q. What's the difference between Ross River fever and dengue fever?
Q. What if I believe there is a mosquito problem where I live or work?
Q. What sort of repellent should I use?
Q. What is dengue?
A. Dengue fever is a viral disease passed on by specificmosquitoes and found in most tropical areas.
The disease causes a range of severe symptoms and patients should seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. The last major outbreak in north Queensland occurred in 2004 when there were 79 reported cases.
Q. How can I reduce the risk of dengue?
A. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and get rid of breeding sites in and around the home and business. See How to reduce the risk of dengue for more detail.
Q. What are the types of dengue?
A. There are four types of dengue viruses that cause dengue fever worldwide. These types are Dengue 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The two principal illnesses that dengue virus causes are:
- dengue fever – an acute illness with fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain and rash
- dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Q. Can I get dengue twice?
A. Yes. There are four types of dengue viruses so a person can contract dengue up to four times. The risk of dengue haemorrhagic fever increases if you contract dengue more than once.
Q. What are the symptoms of dengue?
A. The symptoms include an acute illness with fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain and rash.
Q. How is dengue spread?
A. In Queensland the dengue virus is spread by a highly domesticated species of mosquito (Aedes aegypti ). This mosquito becomes infected with dengue when it bites a human who is viraemic with the dengue virus, ie. there are enough dengue virus particles in the person’s blood to infect a mosquito. For more information see How does the mosquito pass on the disease?
Q. Is my area at risk?
A. During a dengue fever outbreak, suburbs in Dengue Warning Areas (where dengue has occurred in the last month) are at a high risk of dengue fever. Find out if there is currently an outbreak in north Queensland.
If there is no current dengue fever outbreak, dengue can potentially occur anywhere in north Queensland because the dengue mosquito is found throughout the region. If a dengue mosquito bites a person infected with dengue fever, then 8-10 days later it can transmit dengue fever to others.
Traditionally, areas at higher risk of outbreaks are those with older homes without flyscreens and a higher number of dengue mosquito breeding sites. Industrial areas, especially those with tyre yards and car wreckers, also seem to have a higher number of mosquito breeding sites.
The risk of dengue is significantly reduced by getting rid of dengue mosquito breeding sites at home and work.
Q. What is dengue haemorrhagic fever?
A. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a severe complication of the dengue virus. It is most commonly seen in children aged under 15 years but can occur in adults. It is more likely to occur if you have contracted dengue before.
Symptoms for dengue haemorrhagic fever are the same as for dengue fever, but 2-5 days after the onset of fever, patients show a rapid deterioration in their condition. Cardiovascular disease, shock and sometimes death may follow.
Q. What should I do if I think I have dengue?
A. If you are experiencing the symptoms of dengue fever see a doctor immediately. If the doctor suspects dengue he/she will organise a laboratory test and notify the Tropical Population Health Network immediately so they can determine whether mosquito control officers need to visit your home/workplace. While you are sick with dengue, you can pass the disease onto dengue mosquitoes - therefore you should wear mosquito repellent during the daytime.
Q. What is the difference between Ross River fever and dengue fever?
A. Similarities
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Both viruses may cause rash, joint pain and fever
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Both viruses are spread by mosquitoes (but not the same species).
Differences
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Dengue is only transmitted by Aedes Aegypti – a domestic mosquito
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Ross River is spread from animals to humans by a number of different species of mosquito that breed in different environments including natural and domestic settings
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Dengue can be fatal. Ross River is not fatal.
For more information on Ross River fever see the Queensland Health fact sheet.
Q. What if I believe there is a mosquito problem where I live or work?
A.
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Get rid of mosquito breeding sites in and around your home or workplace and protect yourself from mosquito bites. See How to reduce the risk of dengue for detailed advice
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If you are concerned about mosquitoes in a neighbour’s property, approach them and suggest they get rid of mosquito breeding sites
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If you still have a mosquito problem and there is no current outbreak, ring your local council as it is a ‘mosquito nuisance’ rather than a public health issue
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If you still have a mosquito problem, and there is a current dengue outbreak, please contact the Tropical Population Health Network.
During outbreaks, the Tropical Population Health Network's small mosquito control team and local council vector control officers respond to concerns about mosquito breeding on a priority basis. Control activities are prioritised according to factors like the number of confirmed and suspected cases, delays in notification and the size and locations of the outbreak.
Q. What type of repellent should I use?
A. Queensland Health recommends tropical strength repellent containing the chemical DEET (diethyltoluamide or diethylmethylbenzamide) or repellents containing the chemical picaridin. Always read the label and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding re-application and use - particularly for infants.
Did you know?
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When you’re sick with dengue you can spread dengue to mosquitoes that bite you.
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You can stop dengue being transmitted by wearing repellent while you’re sick.
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It takes at least three days after you become infected before you will feel sick.
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