Queensland: Rockhampton dengue, first local transmission for decades

Queensland Health has been informed of the first case of dengue fever contracted locally in Rockhampton for decades.

The Central Queensland Public Health Unit, in partnership with the Rockhampton Regional Council, has put in place a comprehensive response strategy in the event of an outbreak.

The individual has never traveled abroad or in northern Queensland, where outbreaks of dengue fever are known.

Aedes aegypti, a mosquito capable of transmitting dengue fever, is known to occur in parts of Rockhampton. However, as the number of mosquitoes is low and located in areas of low population density, there are usually no locally contracted cases.

The Rockhampton Regional Council and the Central Queensland Public Health Unit are now going to welcome residents near the person's home.

Queensland Health has comprehensive dengue management plans for managing dengue cases and outbreaks.

Typical symptoms of dengue fever may include sudden onset of fever, extreme fatigue, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain skin rashes, slight bleeding from the nose or gums and / or heavy periods.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Anyone with these symptoms should immediately consult their GP to discuss the need for a dengue test.

The dengue virus is not transmitted directly from one person to the other.