February 24, 2016
Health authorities have started spraying mosquitoes around a hotel in Rockhampton following confirmation of a case of Zika virus in the area.
A man tested positive for the disease on Wednesday after recently returning from South America.
The man has spent time at the hotel and the mosquito that carries the disease, Aedes aegypti, has been detected near the hotel.
A Queensland Health spokesperson said the virus was not acquired locally and there have been no reported cases of locally acquired Zika virus in Queensland.
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Sonya Bennett said Zika virus, like dengue, could be spread if an Aedes aegypti mosquito bites an infected person, is then itself infected, and then goes on to bite another person.
“As a precaution, spraying is currently taking place near the hotel,” Dr Bennett said.
“Tomorrow we plan to initiate a public health declaration which will enable us to spray in the yards of homes and businesses within a 200m radius of The Globe Hotel in Depot Hill.
“Homes and businesses outside of this area are at a reduced risk because the Aedes aegypti is not known to fly very far.”
There have been 11 cases of Zika virus reported in Queensland between 2014-2015.
There have been eight cases reported so far in 2016; all cases have been contracted overseas.
