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Source: http://www.torresnews.com.au/index....707:rogue-mozzie-spreads-malaria&catid=3:news
Rogue mozzie spreads malaria
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Friday, 08 April 2011 10:39
By MARK ROY
JUST one rogue mosquito could be responsible for the closure of the sea border between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Border restrictions between the two countries were put in place on Monday, March 28, following a malaria outbreak on Dauan and Saibai Islands.
Queensland Health and the Torres Island Regional Council say they are taking the threat ?very seriously? after four residents of the Outer Islands contracted the more-severe form of the disease last week.
A spokesperson from Queensland health said two Saibai and two Dauan residents caught the more serious form of the disease, which can cause cerebral malaria.
?We could be talking about one rogue mosquito, that has bitten an infected person before transferring it to the others,? the spokesperson said.
?The disease was acquired locally, possibly from someone travelling down from PNG.
?The disease is not usually present in Far North Queensland, and needs to be imported from malarial countries before local transmission can occur.?
One of the Saibai Island residents is currently in a good condition in Cairns Base Hospital, while the others were either discharged from hospital or did not require treatment.
On Monday, March 28 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade put a restriction on inward visits from PNG to Boigu, Dauan and Saibai.
A DFAT spokesperson said the ?precautionary and temporary? measures were put in place to protect public health.
?The restrictions limit the load on local health services, and allow the appropriate vector control methods to be implemented,? the spokesperson said...
Rogue mozzie spreads malaria
Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail
Friday, 08 April 2011 10:39
By MARK ROY
JUST one rogue mosquito could be responsible for the closure of the sea border between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Border restrictions between the two countries were put in place on Monday, March 28, following a malaria outbreak on Dauan and Saibai Islands.
Queensland Health and the Torres Island Regional Council say they are taking the threat ?very seriously? after four residents of the Outer Islands contracted the more-severe form of the disease last week.
A spokesperson from Queensland health said two Saibai and two Dauan residents caught the more serious form of the disease, which can cause cerebral malaria.
?We could be talking about one rogue mosquito, that has bitten an infected person before transferring it to the others,? the spokesperson said.
?The disease was acquired locally, possibly from someone travelling down from PNG.
?The disease is not usually present in Far North Queensland, and needs to be imported from malarial countries before local transmission can occur.?
One of the Saibai Island residents is currently in a good condition in Cairns Base Hospital, while the others were either discharged from hospital or did not require treatment.
On Monday, March 28 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade put a restriction on inward visits from PNG to Boigu, Dauan and Saibai.
A DFAT spokesperson said the ?precautionary and temporary? measures were put in place to protect public health.
?The restrictions limit the load on local health services, and allow the appropriate vector control methods to be implemented,? the spokesperson said...
