A focal, rapidly-controlled outbreak of dengue fever in two suburbs in Townsville, north Queensland, 2001.
In April-May 2001 an outbreak of dengue fever occurred in two suburbs in Townsville, north Queensland. This was the first outbreak in the Townsville region since a very large outbreak in 1992-1993. Notification delays resulted in late detection of the outbreak. Once recognised, control measures were implemented and rapid control was achieved. Dengue serotype 2 was the causative virus and 9 cases of dengue fever were documented. The approach to management of dengue fever outbreaks and vector control strategies have been improved and refined in the years since the 1992-1993 outbreak. These measures, in addition to favourable weather conditions, were likely to have contributed to the successful containment of this outbreak.
Hills
Susan L
SL
Communicable Disease Control, Tropical Public Health Unit-Townsville, Aitkenvale, Queensland. susanlhills@hotmail.com
Piispanen
John P
JP
Humphreys
Jan L
JL
Foley
Peter N
PN
D000818:Animals; D003715:Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013383:Suburban Population