An outbreak of dengue virus type 3 on Mer Island in the Torres Strait, Australia in 2024

Authors

  • Allison Hempenstall Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, 120 Bunda Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870
  • A Pyke Public Health, Virology, Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health
  • C Taunton Torres and Cape Public Health Unit, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
  • U Sabatino Torres and Cape Public Health Unit, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
  • S Kaigey Mer Island Primary Healthcare Centre, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
  • E Pickering Torres and Cape Public Health Unit, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service
  • G Ehlers Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
  • M O Muzari Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
  • J Davis Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
  • C Paton Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
  • C Taylor Public Health, Virology, Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health
  • A van den Hurk Public Health, Virology, Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health
  • G Hewitson Public Health, Virology, Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health
  • S Schlebusch Public Health, Virology, Public and Environmental Health Reference Laboratories, Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health
  • J Hanson Cairns Hospital, Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2024.48.63

Keywords:

dengue, outbreak, First Nations health, public health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Abstract

In early 2024, there were eight confirmed cases of locally acquired dengue on Mer Island in the Torres Strait. This dengue outbreak prompted an in-community public health response which included active case finding, health promotion and vector control. This was the first detected dengue outbreak in the Torres Strait since 2017. It highlights the importance of testing in primary healthcare, vector control and ongoing public health surveillance to minimise the risk of local transmission and establishment of endemic viruses which may cause significant and potentially life-threatening disease within populations in northern Australia.

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References

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Published

18/12/24

How to Cite

Hempenstall, Allison, A Pyke, C Taunton, U Sabatino, S Kaigey, E Pickering, G Ehlers, et al. 2024. “An Outbreak of Dengue Virus Type 3 on Mer Island in the Torres Strait, Australia in 2024”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 48 (December). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2024.48.63.

Issue

Vol. 48 (2024)

Section

Outbreak report

Categories

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