An urgent health warning has been issued to travellers heading to Bali after a surge in cases of a disease which can be fatal.
A Bali-bound Jetstar flight has been forced to make a dramatic turnaround on Monday due to one passenger’s chaotic behaviour onboard.
The plane’s pilot made the announcement mid-flight, due to the passenger’s behaviour, the plane would return to Melbourne.
Footage was captured of the unruly passenger swearing and yelling at fellow passengers.
The flight has been rescheduled for 10am on Tuesday morning, forcing a second Jetstar flight to be postponed until 6pm.
Jetstar has copped criticism for returning to Melbourne instead of landing at another airport mid-route to solve the issue.
WA Health on Friday said dengue fever notifiable cases in the state have “tripled compared with the same time last year, up from 107 cases to 322 cases”.
“Eighty per cent of these cases also reported recent travel to Indonesia,” a WA Health statement added.
Across Indonesia, more than 90,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported so far this year, with more than 9.5 million cases of the mosquito-borne disease worldwide.
Dengue fever can cause severe illness, and in some cases can be fatal.
Travellers to Bali are being urged to take precautions against dengue fever. Picture: Getty Images
“While most people will experience mild flu-like symptoms, the disease may be fatal especially for those who become infected with dengue fever a second time,” WA Health Communicable Disease Control Acting Director, Professor Paul Effler said.
“The best defence against dengue fever is to protect yourself from mosquito bites when visiting Bali or other high-risk areas.”
WA Health said precautions travellers can take against dengue fever include avoiding areas where there is high mosquito activity and wearing long clothing that is also loose-fitting and light coloured.
Travellers are also advised to apply a chemical-based insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and make sure all doors and windows are closed if they do not have insect screens.
Further recommendations include sleeping under a bed net preferably treated with an insecticide, and asking for hotel rooms to be sprayed if travellers notice mosquitoes.
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It’s been revealed that Queenslanders are at a higher risk of contracting the Ross River virus, a virus carried by native mosquitoes.
Researchers have found that humans are the preferred meal for the mosquitoes that linger in parks in the state’s southeast.
Queenslanders are being told to take precautions when spending time in these high-risk areas.
While there is no specific treatment for dengue fever, those who become unwell should immediately seek medical assistance.
Symptoms may include a headache, a rash, fever, fatigue and joint and muscle pain, and in severe cases vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding from the gums or nose.
“If you do become seriously unwell overseas it is important to seek medical attention straight away,” Professor Effler said.
“Likewise, on your return to WA, if you become unwell see your doctor and inform them of your recent travel history.”