A DENGUE fever victim has spoken out about the mosquito-borne disease's devastating effects as the fifth case of the infection north of Cairns was confirmed yesterday.

Queensland Health revealed dengue fever infections in the Port Douglas and Mossman area have risen to five.

For Dianne Harper, 62, the disease's effects were worse than her chemotherapy cancer treatment.

"I've been through breast cancer and chemotherapy and I've never been so sick," Mrs Harper told The Cairns Post from her Mowbray St unit yesterday.

Mrs Harper was diagnosed several weeks ago after waking up with a "raging fever".

Aches, pains, vomiting and weeks of bed rest followed.

"I thought I'm never getting over it'," she said.

Mrs Harper and her husband, 64, believe the source of infection was a mosquito-infested open drain behind their unit complex, just blocks away from Port Douglas' main street.

"We've been having a terrible, terrible lot of mosquitoes," Mrs Harper said. "You can't go down (to) the clothesline for getting attacked from mosquitoes."

Mr Harper now must wait for blood test results to determine if he also is infected.

Mrs Harper had a simple message for anyone concerned about an influx of mosquitos near their home: "Ring the council and ask them to come and spray," she said.

"I really don't think you can get it through their heads - it is in town."

The drain behind their property has been sprayed by Queensland Health and mosquito traps left around the units.

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