5 May 2010

Increased risk of mosquito-borne disease: advice for travellers to Australia

Between March and April 2010, government health departments in several states in the tropical north of Australia issued alerts relating to the increased risk of mosquito-borne disease during their wetter season (the UK’s spring and early summer months) [1-3]. 

Several mosquito-borne diseases occur. Dengue is confined to tropical parts of Australia, whereas Barmah Forest virus, Kunjin virus, Murray Valley encephalitis and Ross River virus may occasionally occur outside of the tropical areas. Dengue is not endemic to Australia, but is imported to the country each year by travellers who have been infected in dengue endemic countries [4]. Limited outbreaks can then occur and have been reported in Queensland, where the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector occurs [5]. 

Travellers can reduce the risk of infection by practising strict insect bite avoidance measures.

References

1. Queensland Government. Outbreak Update; Dengue in North Queensland. 2010; 22 April. [Accessed 5 May 2010]. Available at: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue/outbreak_update/current.

asp

2. Government of Western Australia. Mosquito-borne disease in Western Australia. 2010; 22 March. [Accessed 5 May, 2010]. Available at: http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/3/694/2/mosquitoborne_

disease_in_western_australia.pm

3. Northern Territory Government. Reminder warning on mosquito bites. 2010; 14 April. [Accessed 5 May, 2010]. Available at: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Agency/News_Archive/Reminder_

warning_on_mosquito-borne_viruses/indexdl_3474.aspx

4. Australian Government. Department of Health and Ageing. Dengue fever – factsheet. [Accessed 5 May, 2010]. Available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content

/ohp-fsdengue.htm

5. Queensland Government. Dengue in Australia. [Accessed 5 May, 2010]. Available at: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue/dengue_fever/

australia.asp

Links

Australian Government. Department of Health and Ageing: Barmah Forest virus infection – fact sheet

Australian Government. Department of Health and Ageing: Kunjin virus infection – fact sheet

Australian Government. Department of Health and Ageing: Murray Valley encephalitis virus infection – fact sheet

NaTHNaC Country Information Pages

NaTHNaC Dengue Fever Information Sheet

NaTHNaC Insect Bite Avoidance Information Sheet

NaTHNaC Outbreak Surveillance