live-#2330521-v1-agenda - cairns regional council ......queensland health’s dengue fever...

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Agenda – Planning & Environment Committee 14/10/09 - #2330521

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

14 OCTOBER 2009

10 ENDORSEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING’S DENGUE FEVER AWARENESS AND EDUCATION TRAINING PACKAGE Nathan Mills : 18/25/1-07: 2324244

RECOMMENDATION: That Council endorses the Department of Education and Training’s Dengue Fever Education and Awareness Training Package

INTRODUCTION: Cairns Regional Council has been invited to endorse the Queensland Government’s new Dengue Fever Education and Awareness Package. The package has been developed as part of the Department of Education and Training’s Science Education Strategy in conjunction with Queensland Health and the Eliminate Dengue Project being run by University of Queensland and James Cook University. This package has been developed and trialled with upper primary school students and is aimed at increasing their understanding of the mosquito lifecycle and how Dengue Fever is transmitted.

BACKGROUND: The dengue fever virus is a significant public health issue that occurs sporadically throughout North Queensland. In the last decade, outbreaks of Dengue Fever in this region have increased in frequency and severity. The most recent outbreak in 2008/2009 resulted in almost 1000 cases and one related death. Recent research by James Cook University has revealed that despite extensive public awareness campaigns and significant media attention there is still a lack of understanding in the community about dengue fever and how it is transmitted. The research led to the development of a training package by the Department of Education and Training in conjunction with Queensland Health and the Eliminate Dengue Project being conducted by James Cook University and the University of Queensland. The program is based on the latest scientific knowledge and procedures and is tailored for upper primary school students with an aim of increasing their understanding of dengue fever and how it is transmitted. The unit involves theory and practical components and is set out in a standard curriculum format. A major component of the program involves collecting and rearing mosquito larvae to study the mosquito lifecycle. This is done under strict teacher supervision in accordance with protocols developed by Queensland Health.

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COMMENT: Local government has responsibilities with regards to managing public health risks associated with the prevention and control of mosquitoes. An important aspect of preventing public health risks is education. Council Environmental Health Officers regularly conduct health education with schools and the general public. Increasing education and public awareness can assist the community with understanding their mosquito control responsibilities. Supporting this public health education initiative will show Councils commitment to increasing the community’s awareness of dengue fever and preventing its spread. The training package has been designed to meet key curriculum criteria and is easy for teachers to deliver the unit with minimal preparation or specialised scientific knowledge. The practical component of the education package involves the collection and rearing of “wild” mosquito eggs. Technically the collection of eggs is a breach of the Public Health Regulation 2005 however strict protocols have been developed by Queensland Health to ensure the practical component of the training package will not pose a public health risk. Queensland Health will provide the necessary equipment to collect the mosquito eggs. Once collected the eggs will be placed in sealed containers from which they cannot escape. The Department of Education and Training believe that the rearing of mosquito larvae will greatly increase students learning and understanding of the mosquito lifecycle. There is some potential for human error in the experiment however it is considered to be unlikely. The collection of mosquito eggs will be closely monitored and as soon as eggs or larvae are noted the collection bucket will be removed. All eggs, larvae and any adult mosquitoes will be destroyed on completion of the experiment. Another concern is that students may try to replicate the experiment at home. Therefore, the program developers have been asked to advise parents in writing not to allow students to attempt to breed mosquitoes at home.

CONSIDERATIONS: Corporate and Operational Plans: Objective 2.1 of Cairns Regional Council’s corporate plan identifies the need for implementing a more comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to community health and safety. Education is an important component of maintaining and promoting public health and is identified as a key performance measure in the Public Health Units operational plan.

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Statutory: Local government has devolved responsibility under the Public Health Act 2005 and Public Health Regulation 2005 with regards to the prevention and control of mosquitoes. The rearing of mosquitoes is a breach of the Public Health Regulation 2005. Queensland Health is the lead authority on managing dengue fever and they endorsed the training package after developing safety protocols. These experiments will be carried out under strict supervision in accordance with the protocols developed by Queensland Health. Local government cannot take enforcement action against the state government for the breeding of mosquitoes on their property which includes public schools. It is intended however to make this package available to private schools as well. This raises the unlikely possibility of Council having to take enforcement action at private schools if the protocols aren’t followed. Policy: Queensland Health’s Dengue Fever Management Plan for North Queensland 2005 – 2010 identifies ongoing public education as a key component of dengue fever management. Financial and Risk: Council has been invited to endorse the package at no cost to Council. Queensland Health is the lead authority on dengue fever management and they have assisted in the development of the package. Queensland Health has also endorsed the training package. If the protocols developed by them are followed the risks associated with breeding mosquitoes are considered to be negligible. Sustainability: This project is designed to promote the public health and safety of our region. Council’s endorsement could be seen as an investment in dengue fever management leading to greater confidence in the safety of this area and a flow-on effect with regard to tourism.

CONSULTATION: This package has been developed by the Department of Education and Training in conjunction with Queensland Health and the Eliminate Dengue Project being run by James Cook University and the University of Queensland. They have conducted extensive research into current levels of knowledge in the community about dengue fever.

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The training package has been piloted in 3 local schools (Parramatta Park State School, Edge Hill State School and Port Douglas State School) with great success according to students and teachers. The training includes an evaluation framework which showed the students significantly increased their understanding of the mosquito, the dengue virus and how it is controlled.

OPTIONS: 1. That Council endorse the training package. 2. That Council refuse to endorse the package.

CONCLUSION: This dengue fever awareness and education package has been developed by the Department of Education and Training in conjunction with Queensland Health, James Cook University and the University of Queensland. Council has been invited to endorse the training package at no cost to Council. It is recommended that Cairns Regional Council endorse the dengue fever education and awareness training package. This will highlight Councils commitment to increasing public education and awareness about this important public health issue.

ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter inviting Cairns Regional Council to endorse dengue fever training package

from Darlene McNaughton (James Cook University) 2. Copy of Dengue Fever Awareness and Education Training Package Nathan Mills Senior Environmental Health Officer Julie Wright Acting Manager Environmental Assessment Alex Skubij Acting General Manager Planning and Environment

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APPENDIX 2

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live-#2330521-v1-agenda - cairns regional council ......queensland health’s dengue fever...

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