QLD: Premier orders mozzie repellent roll-out

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2009
QLD: Premier orders mozzie repellent roll-out

BRISBANE, Feb 1 AAP - Premier Anna Bligh has ordered a mozzie repellent roll-out in
north Queensland to fight the dengue fever epidemic.

The state government will hand out free insect repellent this week to all schools in
Cairns and Townsville, where the outbreak has affected more than 250 people.

The premier says teachers and staff at more than 90 state and private schools will
also be given the repellent.

"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 Ms Bligh.

"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," she said.

Ms Bligh says the government is starting a new TV ad blitz on Sunday in the region
to back up a radio campaign already under way.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said spot checks of North Queensland households showed
mosquito breeding sites are still common, particularly in suburban backyards.

"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," he
said.

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

"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.

AAP bart/jm

KEYWORD: DENGUE REPELLENT

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