RESIDENTS are refusing to allow the Dengue Action Response Team to treat their homes and are putting themselves at higher risk, a Queensland Health official said yesterday.

All the recent confirmed cases of dengue fever occurred at houses that had not been treated by DART, Cairns public health physician Richard Gair said yesterday.

Dr Gair said some homes were untreated because residents were not home. In other cases homeowners refused entry to DART teams.

"Hopefully, when people realise that they are putting themselves at greater risk, they will be more co-operative," he said.
With six extra cases confirmed yesterday, the total number affected rose to 43.

Dr Gair said the most recent cases resulted from a second wave of action between January 18 and January 20.

Those cases all occurred in the Whitfield area, which accounts for 36 of the confirmed cases.

Dr Gair advised residents to clean gutters, wheel barrows and other mosquito-breeding sites.

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