Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1882145
Drought strategy could breed disease
Jun 30, 2008 11:40 PM
The Queensland government's strategy to combat drought may lead to epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases, a health expert says.
Battling prolonged drought in the state's south-east, the Queensland government has subsidised the installation of almost 250,000 household water tanks.
James Cook University's tropical health expert Scott Ritchie said the tanks were a potential mosquito-breeding site if not properly maintained.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the government would depend on public education alone to ensure the tanks did not become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which could cause dengue fever and other diseases.
But Ritchie said even a 97% compliance to education campaigns could still lead to disease epidemics.
"It is a risk," he said. He said the Asian Tiger mosquito was in the Torres Strait, and recently had caused an outbreak of the disease chikungunya (chikungunya) virus in Italy.
"We could see epidemics of it," Ritchie said.
"If this whole water-hoarding, rainwater tank thing isn't correctly managed, then in five or 10 years, Brisbane especially could be in for a lot of fun.
"There could be some pretty big outbreaks."
When told a 97% compliance to education campaigns could still lead to epidemics, Mr Robertson said the government might have to look to further educating the public if that occurred.
Ritchie said global warming could exacerbate the move of dengue fever, Ross River Fever and other diseases into southern climes.
Ritchie is studying the use of water tanks and water hoarding in Brisbane to determine the implications of government policy on the possibilities of mosquito-borne disease.
He said despite extensive advertising campaigns, only 60% -70% of people in tropical North Queensland maintained their water tanks and yards to keep them mosquito-free.
Householders who drank reticulated water and used tank water for outdoor and secondary household purposes were less likely to properly maintain their tanks, Ritchie said.
Source: AAP
Drought strategy could breed disease
Jun 30, 2008 11:40 PM
The Queensland government's strategy to combat drought may lead to epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases, a health expert says.
Battling prolonged drought in the state's south-east, the Queensland government has subsidised the installation of almost 250,000 household water tanks.
James Cook University's tropical health expert Scott Ritchie said the tanks were a potential mosquito-breeding site if not properly maintained.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the government would depend on public education alone to ensure the tanks did not become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which could cause dengue fever and other diseases.
But Ritchie said even a 97% compliance to education campaigns could still lead to disease epidemics.
"It is a risk," he said. He said the Asian Tiger mosquito was in the Torres Strait, and recently had caused an outbreak of the disease chikungunya (chikungunya) virus in Italy.
"We could see epidemics of it," Ritchie said.
"If this whole water-hoarding, rainwater tank thing isn't correctly managed, then in five or 10 years, Brisbane especially could be in for a lot of fun.
"There could be some pretty big outbreaks."
When told a 97% compliance to education campaigns could still lead to epidemics, Mr Robertson said the government might have to look to further educating the public if that occurred.
Ritchie said global warming could exacerbate the move of dengue fever, Ross River Fever and other diseases into southern climes.
Ritchie is studying the use of water tanks and water hoarding in Brisbane to determine the implications of government policy on the possibilities of mosquito-borne disease.
He said despite extensive advertising campaigns, only 60% -70% of people in tropical North Queensland maintained their water tanks and yards to keep them mosquito-free.
Householders who drank reticulated water and used tank water for outdoor and secondary household purposes were less likely to properly maintain their tanks, Ritchie said.
Source: AAP