North Qld warned of dangerous wildlife

Residents across Queensland's north have been warned to beware a triple threat of
crocodiles, snakes and mosquitoes following weeks of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Climate Change Minister Kate Jones warned residents recent floodwaters would have
dispersed the dangerous reptiles throughout the region.
Meanwhile, Queensland Health has warned north Queenslanders to remain vigilant about
potential mosquito breeding spots around their properties to prevent a repeat of
last year's record-breaking dengue fever outbreak.
Ms Jones said crocodiles used floodwaters to explore their habitat and all coastal
waterways in north Queensland should be viewed as potential habitat for the
reptiles.
"We would expect the number of croc sightings to increase at this time of year with
nesting season and the wet season in full swing," she said.
She warned residents not to go near floodwaters because they could contain
crocodiles or snakes.
Queensland Health spokesman Dr Steven Donohue said residents in north Queensland
should check their property weekly for potential mosquito breeding spots to prevent
the spread of the dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito.
He said recent importations of the disease, in Mackay and Townsville, were unlikely
to result in local outbreaks but the threat was always present.
"The interesting thing about flooding is that in the short term you actually get a
drop in mosquito numbers, it flushes out their breeding sites, but then they come
back in a vengeance," Dr Donohue told AAP.
"So as soon as the wet season has started there is a high risk of dengue outbreaks."
He praised the efforts of people across the region in so far preventing a repeat of
last year's outbreak, which saw more than 1000 people infected with the virus.