Premier orders mozzie repellent roll-out

Townsville: Premier Anna Bligh has announced that the State Government will distribute free insect repellent to all schools in Cairns and Townsville to combat the dengue fever outbreak.

The Premier said the repellent will be given to more than 90 schools in the two Queensland cities where the outbreak has affected more than 250 people.

“This is an unprecedented move for a Queensland Government but if it prevents one child from contracting this disease then it will have been worthwhile,” said the Premier.

“We are asking teachers and other staff to help ensure students are protected with repellent. The repellent will also be available to teachers and staff for their own use.

“Our research shows that the dengue mosquito prefers to bite humans during daylight – when children are in playgrounds or on sports fields.

“Queensland Health has been working closely with Education Queensland and suppliers on an appropriate repellent for children.

“I can assure parents that an appropriate product for children has been selected, in consultation with experts.

“Parents will be provided with information about this important public health initiative prior to its roll out later this week and given the option to opt out. “

The Premier said the repellent would be made available to both State and non-state schools.

Ms Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the move was just one step in addressing the current outbreaks in Cairns and Townsville.

“My government’s existing incident response plan would be backed by increased on-the-ground resources and a comprehensive public awareness campaign,” she said.

“I want to assure Queenslanders we’re doing all we can to contain the current outbreaks,” she said.

“That’s why we’re rolling out a new TV ad blitz in Cairns and Townsville from today, in addition to the radio ads already being run in North Queensland.

“The ads highlight the seriousness of dengue fever and remind people what they can do to protect themselves against the disease.

“Arrangements are also underway for additional government workers to undertake more inspections of potential household mosquito breeding grounds.

“These workers are doing the hard yards at the frontline to protect Queenslanders from the damaging effects of dengue fever.”

Minister Robertson said the increased efforts were a direct result of escalating cases of dengue fever and the need to engender greater community support to curb the outbreak.

“Recent spot checks of North Queensland households showed mosquito breeding sites were still common, particularly in suburban backyards,” he said.

"This is a really worrying situation and we’re calling on Townsville and Cairns residents to rally together and help us to get on top of this outbreak and stop any further spread of dengue.

“None of us can afford to be complacent and we all have to do our bit to break the mozzie breeding cycle.”

The Premier said the television ad uses a series of yellow warning signs featuring dangerous animals to convey the message that mosquitos also pose a danger to humans.

"These ads remind all Queenslanders, whether they are young or old, that prevention is the best defence against dengue fever,” he said.

Mr Robertson said dengue prevention checklists were being distributed to North Queensland homes and businesses, with a staffed dengue display in Townsville’s main shopping centre also up and running.

The display will provide giveaways including fridge magnets, checklists and workplace posters, with staff on hand to engage shoppers about mozzie prevention and dengue.

“To date there have been 226 cases confirmed in Cairns and 31 cases in Townsville, including several babies and young children,” he said.

“This underscores the seriousness of the outbreak and while the situation in Townsville is not as critical as it is in Cairns, we have to knock it on the head now.

Mr Robertson said simple actions can help defend against dengue, such as using insect repellent, wearing loose, light coloured clothing or spraying a residual surface spray in the home.

“We particularly need to break the myth that the dengue mozzie breeds in rivers when in actual fact it breeds in your backyard and home, and is active during the day,” Mr Robertson said.

For more information visit: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue/

Media contact: Minister Robertson’s Office 3234 1190