Imported zika virus infection from the cook islands into australia, 2014.

A female resident of Townsville, Queensland, Australia has been diagnosed with Zika virus infection following a recent trip to the Cook Islands. An initial serum sample collected in March, 2014 was positive by two separate Zika virus TaqMan real-time RT-PCRs and a pan-Flavivirus RT-PCR. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetics of the complete Cook Islands Zika virus envelope gene revealed 99.1% homology with a previous Cambodia 2010 sequence within the Asian lineage. In addition, IgG and IgM antibody seroconversions were detected between paired acute and convalescent phase sera using recombinant Zika virus serology assays. This is the first known imported case of Zika virus infection into northern Queensland where the potential mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is present and only the second such reported case diagnosed within Australia.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in non-Indigenous people in north Queensland, 2001-2009.

OBJECTIVE: To compare trends in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in non-Indigenous people in north Queensland before and after the introduction of funded pneumococcal vaccines, and to examine the proportion of cases that occurred after vaccine roll-out that could be vaccine-preventable. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In 2005, a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) for non-Indigenous children and a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV) for non-Indigenous adults aged ≥ 65 years were made freely available. Trends in IPD in the non-Indigenous estimated resident population in north Queensland (about 581 850 in 2006) were compared between the 4 years before (2001-2004) and after (2006-2009) the vaccines were rolled out. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidences and serotypes of IPD in non-Indigenous people. RESULTS: After the introduction of the vaccines, there were significant declines for all ages in the average annual incidence of IPD (- 34%; P < 0.05) and 7vPCV serotype IPD (- 77%; P < 0.05). In children aged < 5 years, there was a 91% decline in the incidence of 7vPCV serotype IPD (P < 0.05); in adults aged 15-64 years and ≥ 65 years there were 62% and 77% declines, respectively, in 7vPCV and 23vPPV common-serotype IPD (P < 0.05). There was a 188% increase in 23vPPV-only serotype IPD in adults aged 15-64 years (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant change in adults aged ≥ 65 years. Serotype 19A was the most frequently identified serotype in 2006-2009, causing 19% of all IPD in those 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: There is circumstantial evidence that 7vPCV has had a powerful indirect effect in preventing IPD in adults in north Queensland; 23vPPV may have had a direct effect in adults aged ≥ 65 years. It is likely that with combined direct and indirect effects, newer conjugate vaccines could prevent more IPD than could be prevented with the two current vaccines.

Melioidosis in north Queensland, 2000-2009.

There were 176 culture-confirmed cases of melioidosis in north Queensland over the 10 years, 2000-2009. Most (nearly 80%) occurred in the first 4 months of the year. The overall case fatality was 21%, but was 14% in 2005-2009. Of the 173 adult cases, 45% were in Indigenous adults. Both diabetes and alcohol abuse were more prevalent among Indigenous adults with melioidosis than among non-Indigenous adults. The incidences in Indigenous adults were particularly high in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, Cape York and Mornington Island, whereas for non-indigenous adults there appears to be a higher risk within Townsville city.

Dengue in north Queensland, 2005-2008.

The dengue vector, the mosquito Aedes aegypti, is present in urban settings in north Queensland, thereby putting the region at risk of outbreaks of dengue. This review describes some features of the 9 outbreaks of dengue that occurred in north Queensland over the 4 years, 2005-2008.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in Indigenous people in north Queensland: an update, 2005-2007.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Indigenous people in north Queensland following the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV). DESIGN: Trends in IPD were compared over three 3-year periods: before the introduction of 7vPCV for Indigenous children (1999-2001), and two consecutive periods after its introduction (2002-2004 and 2005-2007). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidences of IPD in Indigenous children and adults in 1999-2001 and 2005-2007; trends in IPD caused by 7vPCV and non-7vPCV serotypes; and trends in indirect protective effects and emergence of non-7vPCV serotype IPD. RESULTS: From 1999-2001 to 2005-2007, there was a 60% decline in IPD, with the virtual elimination of 7vPCV serotype IPD in young (< 5 years) Indigenous children. There is no evidence yet of an increase in non-7vPCV serotype IPD in these children. Although the annual incidence of IPD in Indigenous adults remained virtually unchanged, there was a 75% decline in 7vPCV serotype IPD in these adults (chi2(trend) = 11.65, P < 0.001). However, the incidence of IPD caused by non-7vPCV serotypes more than tripled in adults (chi2(trend) = 7.58, P = 0.006). Serotype 1 IPD has been prominent over the 9 years, but there is no evidence of a recent increase in serotype 19A IPD. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccinating Indigenous children with 7vPCV has protected Indigenous adults in north Queensland through an indirect "herd immunity" effect. However, this benefit has been offset by a recent increase in non-7vPCV IPD in Indigenous adults. Newer pneumococcal conjugate vaccines could prevent, both directly and indirectly, a considerable amount of the persisting IPD in Indigenous people in the region.

Multiple outbreaks of dengue serotype 2 in north Queensland, 2003/04.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the various investigations and responses to multiple outbreaks of dengue serotype 2 that occurred in north Queensland in 2003/04. METHODS: Details about each case were collated so as to target mosquito-control responses including control of mosquito breeding sites, interior spraying of selected premises, and a novel 'lure and kill' approach using lethal ovitraps. Phylogenetic analyses were undertaken to determine the genetic relatedness of viruses isolated during the outbreaks. RESULTS: Except for a two-month hiatus in mid-2003, the outbreaks continued for 16 months and included approximately 900 confirmed cases, with three severe cases and one death. The available evidence suggests that the mosquito-control measures were effective, but delays in recognising the outbreaks in Cairns and the Torres Strait coupled with intense mosquito breeding contributed to the extensive nature of the outbreaks. Phylogenetic analyses showed that there had been only two major outbreaks, one that spread from Cairns to Townsville, the other from the Torres Strait to Cairns; both were initiated by viraemic travellers from Papua New Guinea. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analyses were essential in understanding how the outbreaks were related to each other, and in demonstrating that dengue had not become endemic. Further innovative approaches to dengue surveillance and mosquito control in north Queensland are necessary. IMPLICATIONS: Dengue outbreaks have become more frequent and more severe in north Queensland in recent years, raising the possibility that dengue viruses could become endemic in the region leading to outbreaks of dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in Indigenous people in north Queensland, 1999-2004.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and the impact of pneumococcal vaccines on IPD, in Indigenous people in north Queensland. SETTING: North Queensland, 1999-2004; there are about 53 750 Indigenous people in the region, including nearly 6900 children < 5 years and nearly 5650 adults > or = 50 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidences of IPD in Indigenous children and in Indigenous adults compared between the 3 years before and after the introduction of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) (1999-2001 versus 2002-2004). RESULTS: Estimated annual incidence of IPD in Indigenous children < 5 years of age declined from 170 to 78 cases per 100 000 in the 3 years following the introduction of 7vPCV in 2001. The annual incidence of vaccine-preventable IPD in Indigenous adults had declined by 86% since a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV) was introduced to the region in 1996, to 15 cases per 100 000 (95% CI, 8-25) in 2002-2004. CONCLUSION: Although there was a rapid decline in IPD in young Indigenous children, it is unlikely that the incidence will fall much further with the current 7-valent vaccine. There was a suggestion that vaccinating Indigenous children indirectly protected those aged 5-14 years and Indigenous adults > or =15 years of age. Incidence of IPD in Indigenous adults in 2002-2004 was the lowest on record in the region.

Impact of hepatitis A vaccination of Indigenous children on notifications of hepatitis A in north Queensland.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of a hepatitis A vaccination program for Indigenous children in north Queensland. DESIGN: Enhanced surveillance of all notified cases of hepatitis A in north Queensland from 1996 to 2003. SETTING: North Queensland; population, 596 500 people, including about 6900 Indigenous children aged under five years. INTERVENTIONS: Hepatitis A vaccine was provided to Indigenous children in north Queensland from February 1999; two doses were recommended (at 18 months and 2 years of age), as was catch-up vaccination up to the sixth birthday. RESULTS: In the 4 years 1996-1999, 787 cases of hepatitis A were notified in north Queensland, 237 (30%) of which were in Indigenous people. The average annual notification rates in Indigenous and non-Indigenous people during this period were 110 and 25 cases per 100 000 persons, respectively. In the first 4 years after introduction of the vaccination program (2000-2003), 66 cases of hepatitis A were notified. Only nine of the 66 (14%) were in Indigenous people. The average annual notification rates in Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in 2000-2003 were 4 and 2.5 cases per 100 000 persons, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis A seems to have been eradicated from Indigenous communities in north Queensland very soon after the vaccination program began. The rapid decline in notifications in non-Indigenous as well as Indigenous people suggests the program quickly interrupted chains of transmission from Indigenous children to the broader community. To our knowledge this is the first evidence that a hepatitis A vaccination program targeting a high-risk population within a community can reduce disease in the broader community. Hepatitis A vaccine should be provided to other high-risk Indigenous children elsewhere in Australia.

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.