Australia, Queensland 12 imported Zika cases notified: 2 in 2016 YTD, 3 in 2015 and 7 in 2014

[Gert van der Hoek]

Australia - Queensland Government, Health

3 February 2016

Zika virus
Routine testing for Zika virus was introduced in Queensland in 2014. Since then there have been 10 notifications, seven in 2014, three in 2015 and none in 2016 YTD. All notifications were imported cases from the Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. They were associated with known outbreaks in these countries at the time of import.
While there have been no cases of Zika virus infection in Queensland in 2016, Queensland Health has both the prior experience and appropriate measures in place to help control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika virus.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Second case of Zika virus confirmed in Queensland

A child who first presented at hospital on Thursday night has been confirmed as the second case of the Zika virus in Queensland this year.

The child recently returned to Australia from Samoa and is currently recovering at home.

The confirmation of the second case follows the case of a Queensland woman who returned to Australia from El Salvador.
The woman is recovering well on the Gold Coast. She has been discharged from hospital and there is no risk to her, her family or the general public from the virus.

In Queensland, seven cases of the disease were confirmed in 2014 and three cases in 2015.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick, who during the week convened the Zika Preparedness Roundtable, said that he had asked Queensland Health to speed up an initial public health campaign on social media and in newspapers.

READ MORE

[Gert van der Hoek]

Health experts warn Zika virus will enter Australia, with north Queensland likely spot for outbreak

February 2, 2016


HEALTH experts believe it is almost impossible to stop the mosquito-borne Zika virus from entering Australia, with an outbreak more likely in Tropical North Queensland.

The state’s Far North would be a breeding hotspot for the virus and already has the type of mosquitoes which spread the infection.

The World Health Organisation yesterday declared the virus — linked to brain damage in babies — a global public health emergency.

It was reported last night that two cases of infection had been detected in two NSW residents.
They had recently travelled in the Caribbean before heading back to Sydney.

“It is very unlikely that Zika virus established local transmission in NSW as the mosquitoes that spread the infection are not established here — although they are found in some parts of north Queensland,” NSW Health’s director of communicable diseases, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Queensland announces $1.4 million program to fight Zika

Date February 6, 2016 -

Queensland Health is boosting its Zika monitoring and management program by $1.4 million, including a $400,000 expansion of Townsville testing facilities where the risk of infection is greatest.

The expanded, more rapid testing program, to begin on March 1, was announced as health authorities confirmed a second positive test for the virus in Queensland.

READ MORE