Scrub typhus in north Queensland

Abstract

Scrub typhus was once common in north Queensland, but no reports from this region have been published for nearly 30 years, and the focus has turned to cases from the Northern Territory and Western Australia. In 1996, diagnosis of scrub typhus in a Queensland soldier led to recognition of an earlier outbreak with up to 17 cases. Another outbreak occurred a year later with 11 confirmed cases. All cases were in soldiers who had visited a training area near Innisfail. Review of other laboratory diagnoses of scrub typhus shows it is still prevalent in north Queensland, with several "hot spots".