Health information > Dengue in North Queensland

Advice to schools in north Queensland

Schools are particularly suitable for rapid and widespread transmission of dengue through a community.

In a past outbreak in north Queensland, a school was found to be a significant source of dengue mosquito breeding. Many of the children and staff acquired dengue at school and then transmitted the virus to mosquitoes at home.

Young children infected with dengue face a lifetime of risk from developing dengue haemorrhagic fever if they are infected by a different type of dengue.

How to reduce the risk at schools

Check containers where mosquitoes breed

It is important to check school premises regularly for mosquito breeding sites, and:

throw out old containers that are not needed
store containers in a dry place
tip out containers that can hold water.

Dengue mosquitoes breed in containers that hold stagnant water. The dengue mosquito does not breed in rivers, swamps, open drains, creeks or mangroves. These mosquitoes do not like to travel far from mosquito breeding sites. The best form of control is to get rid of dengue mosquito breeding sites. Dengue mosquitoes breed in containers that hold water, such as:

buckets
tyres – discarded with no rims
tarpaulins and black plastic
pot plant bases
vases
boats
tin cans and plastic containers
roof guttering
rainwater tanks with damaged or missing screens
water features – fountains, frog ponds and bird baths
fallen palm fronds
worm farm containers
hydroponic gardens
uncapped fence posts
bromeliads
striking containers (to grow plant cuttings)
coconut shells.

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Fill drain sumps

Drain sump pits (eg. in driveways or large car parks) have proven to be a significant site for dengue mosquito breeding, because most of these pits hold water. This problem can be fixed by filling the lower part of the pits with concrete or sand, or by ensuring that pest controllers treat them during routine treatment of your school. Accumulated debris stops the flow and creates stagnant pools. You may consider putting a finer mesh over the grate to minimise litter entering the drain.

Drain sump pits can be a significant mosquito breeding site

Use temporary measures, eg. larvicide/insecticide, until sump pits are rectified/levelled.

Christmas break prevention

Schools in high-risk areas should consider routine application of residual insecticide during the Christmas break as a pre-emptive measure to minimise dengue risk in the new year.

Roof guttering should be cleared of debris before school returns.

Insect repellent

During outbreaks, parents should consider applying repellent to children. This is particularly important if the school is in a Dengue Watch Area (where dengue has occured in the last month).

More information

For more information on controlling breeding sites view the Guide to the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding on Business and Commercial Premises.

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Resources for downloading

For teaching and learning tools see:

Other resources: These resources are part of a dengue fever prevention campaign for north Queensland residents. The campaign encourages residents to: “Stop the mosquito breeding and stop the disease”.

If your school is in north Queensland and you would like copies of these resources, please contact the Tropical Population Health Network. Click on the picture to go to the full sized resource.