Central Queensland Research Articles

Epidemiology of mumps outbreaks and the impact of an additional dose of MMR vaccine for outbreak control in regional Queensland, Australia, 2017-2018.

In recent years, there have been ongoing outbreaks of mumps reported in Northern and North-Western Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Australia. We aimed to define the epidemiology of mumps outbreaks in Central Queensland, Australia between October 2017 and October 2018 and evaluate the effectiveness of an additional dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. A retrospective case control study was conducted, including outbreak investigations with laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps and subsequent comparison with matched controls. We analysed mandatory notifications from the Queensland Health Notifiable Conditions System database and immunisation information from the Queensland Health Vaccination Information and Admin System (VIVAS) and the Australian Immunisation Register. Between October 2017 and October 2018, there were 93 cases of mumps reported in Central Queensland with three distinct outbreaks: a discrete Indigenous community; a correctional facility; and a boarding school. Among all cases, 74 (79.6%) were fully vaccinated and 14 (15.1%) were partially vaccinated with MMR vaccine. Eighty-six cases (92.5%) were reported among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In all outbreaks, an additional dose of MMR vaccine was offered with 35.4%, 73.6% and 35.8% of the target population being immunised in the discrete Indigenous community, the correctional facility and the boarding school, respectively. Prior to this additional dose of MMR, the mumps attack rate was 31.0 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 24.2-39.0) per 1000 population, compared to the post-additional dose MMR attack rate of 10.6 (95% CI: 6.7-15.9) per 1000 population. An additional or booster dose of MMR should be included as an effective public health intervention strategy, particularly in communal or high-density living conditions to control mumps outbreaks in highly vaccinated populations.

The last eurypterid – a southern high-latitude record of sweep-feeding sea scorpion from Australia constrains the timing of their extinction

ABSTRACT A large, incomplete fragment of arthropod cuticle with distinctive tuberculate ornamentation from the late Permian Kaloola Member, Baralaba Coal Measures of the Bowen Basin in central Queensland, is assigned to the mycteropoid clade of sea scorpions. It is Changhsingian (254–252 Ma) in age and occurs in a freshwater, possibly fluvial, environment. The cuticle ornamentation consists of round to oval tubercles in two size classes and differs, in detail, from all previously described mycteropoids. We therefore propose a new species, ?Woodwardopterus freemanorum sp. nov., to accomodate this new specimen. It is at least 11 Ma younger than any previously known eurypterid fossil. This significant discovery demonstrates that large sweep-feeding eurypterids persisted until the end-Permian extinction in the southern high latitudes of Gondwana. Ecological factors that may have contributed to the survival of these freshwater eurypterids into the late Palaeozoic are also briefly discussed.

First report of Eutypella species associated with dying cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A rapid increase in the number of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants suddenly wilting and dying in a commercial cotton field in Central Queensland initiated this study. The aim was to characterise fungal species recovered from discoloured vascular tissue of dead plants and determine if they contributed to their death. Isolations were consistently dominated by one fungus based on culture morphology. Identification was established on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA and revealed that the isolates all belong to Diatrypaceae, with high homology to Eutypella scoparia. Further analyses showed that there were two distinct Eutypella species present in the isolates, which are quite different from E. scoparia from the sequence dissimilarity due to the presence of ITS1 and ITS2 insertions. In diseased root samples, community profiling showed two operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to E. scoparia were the most abundant fungi accounting for 45 to 99% of all sequences. Pathogenicity tests showed that a Eutypella isolate when inoculated into the stem of healthy G. hirsutum using two inoculation methods caused cankerous growth and necrosis of vascular tissue, typical of trunk disease. The fungus caused a red—brown streaking of the vascular tissue like that observed in diseased field plants. This study shows that the fungal isolates, which form a distinct group within the Eutypella, are associated with the root and stem of dying G. hirsutum and were the dominant fungi of diseased roots. This is the first known case of Eutypella affecting cotton worldwide and is considered an expansion of this genus’ host range.

Over Time Decay of Cortisol Metabolites in Faecal Pellets of Koalas in Central Queensland.

Simple SummaryFaecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) are a useful, non-invasive tool for the assessment of stress in koalas. However, FCM stability after defecation is a critical issue. Therefore, we exposed faecal pellets of koalas to three different environmental conditions and measured FCMs with three recently evaluated enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Because water loss over time exerted the greatest influence on FCMs, we strongly recommend collecting freshly defecated pellets in koalas.Faecal material can be a valuable source of information for a range of animal health aspects and can be used to measure faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs). FCM values can relate to physiological stress responses. However, freshly defecated pellets are not always available and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, might affect faecal pellet consistency and FCM levels. Therefore, the impact of environmental conditions on FCMs needs to be evaluated. We collected 107 pellets from two female and two male koalas, exposed them to three types of treatments, and analysed FCMs in these samples with three enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). After analysis, the original FCM values were mathematically corrected for water loss. Results show that the FCMs were more stable when measured using tetrahydrocorticosterone (50c) and 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one (37e) EIAs, and were less stable when measured with the cortisol EIA. With 50c, the FCM values did not vary significantly over time either before or after the adjustment with water in the environment treatment group. For samples kept under constant low (25 °C) and high (35 °C) temperatures, the 50c FCM values did not vary significantly over time, after adjustments were made for water loss. Thus, this study highlights the importance of considering the suitability of faecal field samples for FCM analysis. Because water loss was the main driver of FCM changes, we strongly recommend collecting koala pellets that are freshly defecated, despite the effort and time it might take to collect such pellets.

Mental Health Practitioners' Understanding of Speech Pathology in a Regional Australian Community.

(1) Background: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and the perceptions of speech pathology held by a sample of regional mental health practitioners and to explore factors that facilitate understanding of the roles of speech pathologists in mental health. While mental health is recognised as an area of practice by Speech Pathology Australia, the inclusion of speech pathologists in mental health teams is limited. (2) Methods: An anonymous online survey was created using previously validated surveys and author generated questions and distributed to mental health practitioners in Central Queensland, Australia. (3) Results: Mental health practitioners had difficulty identifying speech pathology involvement when presented with case scenarios. Accuracy was poor for language-based cases, ranging from 28.81% to 37.29%. Participants who reported having worked with a speech pathologist were more likely to demonstrate higher scores on the areas of practice questions, [r(53) = 0.301, p = 0.028], and the language scenarios [r(58) = 0.506, p < 0.001]. They were also more likely to agree to statements regarding the connection between speech pathology and mental health, r(59) = 0.527, p < 0.001. (4) Conclusions: As found in this study, contact with speech pathologists is a strong predictor of mental health providers’ knowledge of the speech pathology profession. Thus, the challenge may be to increase this contact with mental health providers to promote inclusion of speech pathologists in the mental health domain.

Did attending P.A.R.T.Y. change youth perceptions? Results from 148 Queensland schools participating in the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth Program, 2018–2019

BackgroundPrevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) is an immersive 1 day in-hospital injury awareness and prevention programme designed to educate high-school students on the consequences of a variety...

Reading the Entrails: The Extractive Work of a Fence

This essay offers an evisceration of my troubled links to ‘cattle country’, seeking a truth-telling that responds to my mother’s romancing. I trace my family’s part in the cattle industry imposed upon Jiman Country and Wulli Wulli Country, drawing on stories populated with the hooves of cattle, the flight of emus, and the stare of a goanna. I find myself in uncomfortable territory, complicit in the actions of my settler relatives in this region of Central Queensland, but to not examine this informal archive of possession feels like a lie. The stories that shape me begin with the tales of Mum’s foster-mother, my great-aunt, about the dreadful murderous harms done during the early settler occupation of Jiman Country. My family’s later deployment of this stolen land is a related act of war. I see a related mode of violence in tales of terrified cattle in nearby Wulli Wulli Country, Mum’s girl-self perched on the back of a weary horse, whip in her hand. In all this, there is me, telling tales, like settler writers before me, caught in the writing act, exposed as a fence, dealing in stolen goods, part of the ongoing posts of making up and wires of making do. Nonetheless, I take up my extractive blade, sharpened by a field trip to this region, and carve into my family history, with its legacy of generational violence to humans, cows, waterways, and earth, exposing three extractions: the near-genocidal murders of the Jiman and Wulli Wulli people; the ongoing slaughter of cattle; and finally, there, on the kill floor, entrails exposed, the stories of my mother, laid bare for this critical reading.

Efficacy and safety of Eradicat® feral cat baits in eastern Australia: population impacts of baiting programmes on feral cats and non-target mammals and birds

Reducing the damage caused by feral cats (Felis catus) to wildlife, livestock and human health is a key objective for many land managers and human health agencies globally. The lack of safe and efficacious lethal control tools in many regions, however, makes the control of feral cats and their impacts challenging. We performed a baiting trial in central Queensland to measure the efficacy and safety of Eradicat®, a feral cat bait currently approved for use only in the state of Western Australia, as a potential tool for the broadscale control of feral cats in eastern Australian environments. We used camera traps, cat-borne GPS collars and chemical residue analysis to monitor mortality and changes in feral cat populations following baiting. We also used camera traps and bird count surveys to monitor the response of key at-risk non-target species, specifically wild dogs (Canis familiaris), common brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and 10 bird species at risk of consuming baits. Feral cat abundance reduced significantly (29–40%) following baiting, with reductions observed across 83% of the site. There were no significant changes in wild dog, possum or potentially bait-consuming bird populations following baiting. Our findings suggest that Eradicat® could potentially be a safe and efficacious tool for the landscape control of feral cats at some sites in eastern Australia. Future research is required to test the safety and efficacy of Eradicat® at other sites in eastern Australia, as suites of non-target species will vary among sites in different environments.

Remote mental health clients prefer face-to-face consultations to telehealth during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective:To guide the efficient and effective provision of mental health services to clients in Central West and Far North Queensland, we surveyed preferences for face-to-face or in-person contact.Methods:A clinician-designed survey of contact preferences was offered to 248 clients of mental health services in Far North and Central West Queensland in mid-2020. With the onset of COVID-19, the survey was modified to measure the impact of the pandemic.Results:Just over half of the services’ clients participated in the survey (50.4%), of whom more were female (63.2%). Of the participants, 46.3% in Far North and 8.6% in Central West Queensland identified as Indigenous. Strong resistance to telehealth before the pandemic across groups (76%) was moderated during COVID-19 (42.4%), an effect that appeared likely to continue past the pandemic for Central West clients (34.5%). Far North clients indicated their telehealth reluctance would return after the pandemic (77.6%).Conclusions:Our results suggest that remote Australians strongly prefer in-person mental health care to telehealth. Although the COVID-19 pandemic increased acceptance of telehealth across regions while social distancing continued, there was evidence that Indigenous Australians were more likely to prefer in-person contact after the pandemic.

The First Report of Target-Site Resistance to Glyphosate in Sweet Summer Grass (Moorochloa eruciformis)

Sweet summer grass is a problematic weed in the central Queensland region of Australia. This study found glyphosate resistance in two biotypes (R1 and R2) of sweet summer grass. The level of resistance in these biotypes was greater than 8-fold. The glyphosate dose required to reduce dry matter by 50% (GR50) for the resistant populations varied from 1993 to 2100 g ha−1. A novel glyphosate resistance double point mutation in the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene was identified for the first time in sweet summer grass. Multiple mutations, including multiple amino acid changes at the glyphosate target site, as well as mutations involving two nucleotide changes at a single amino acid codon, were observed. Both resistant biotypes exhibited a nucleotide change of CAA to ACA in codon 106, which predicts an amino acid change of proline to a threonine (Pro-106-Thr). In addition, the R1 biotype also possessed a mutation at codon 100, where a nucleotide substitution of T for G occurred (GCT to TCT), resulting in a substitution of serine for alanine (Ala-100-Ser). Understanding the molecular mechanism of glyphosate resistance will help to design effective management strategies to control invasive weeds.

Mangrove Forest Cover and Phenology with Landsat Dense Time Series in Central Queensland, Australia

Wetlands are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems. Wetland ecosystem services, ranging from provision of food security to climate change mitigation, are enormous, far outweighing those of dryland ecosystems per hectare. However, land use change and water regulation infrastructure have reduced connectivity in many river systems and with floodplain and estuarine wetlands. Mangrove forests are critical communities for carbon uptake and storage, pollution control and detoxification, and regulation of natural hazards. Although the clearing of mangroves in Australia is strictly regulated, Great Barrier Reef catchments have suffered landscape modifications and hydrological alterations that can kill mangroves. We used remote sensing datasets to investigate land cover change and both intra- and inter-annual seasonality in mangrove forests in a large estuarine region of Central Queensland, Australia, which encompasses a national park and Ramsar Wetland, and is adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage site. We built a time series using spectral, auxiliary, and phenology variables with Landsat surface reflectance products, accessed in Google Earth Engine. Two land cover classes were generated (mangrove versus non-mangrove) in a Random Forest classification. Mangroves decreased by 1480 hectares (−2.31%) from 2009 to 2019. The overall classification accuracies and Kappa coefficient for 2008–2010 and 2018–2020 land cover maps were 95% and 95%, respectively. Using an NDVI-based time series we examined intra- and inter-annual seasonality with linear and harmonic regression models, and second with TIMESAT metrics of mangrove forests in three sections of our study region. Our findings suggest a relationship between mangrove growth phenology along with precipitation anomalies and severe tropical cyclone occurrence over the time series. The detection of responses to extreme events is important to improve understanding of the connections between climate, extreme weather events, and biodiversity in estuarine and mangrove ecosystems.

Anonychomyrma inclinata sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): description, biology and interaction with the endangered bulloak jewel butterfly, Hypochrysops piceatus Kerr, Macqueen &amp; Sands, 1969 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

AbstractThe ant Anonychomyrma inclinata sp. nov. is described. It is an arboreal species, nesting in hollows of living mature trees including Allocasuarina luehmannii, Angophora leiocarpa and various Eucalyptus species. Anonychomyrma inclinata can form colonies which are among the most populous recorded for an ant species in Australia, with over 10 000 workers and a total population of 170 000, including all castes. The ant forms extensive trails, forages for insects, collects nectar from a range of flowering plants including many mistletoes and collects honeydew from Hemiptera. The ant's distribution extends from northern inland New South Wales and south central inland Queensland, as far north‐east as Home Hill, on the Burdekin River. The ant is an obligate attendant of the immature stages of the endangered bulloak jewel butterfly, Hypochrysops piceatus Kerr, Macqueen &amp; Sands, 1969, and the southern population of the sapphire azure, Ogyris aenone Waterhouse, 1902. The distribution of A. inclinata is much wider than that currently known for H. piceatus, suggesting that suitable breeding sites may exist for this rare butterfly in areas not previously surveyed. While A. inclinata appears relatively widespread and is able to utilise a wide range of tree species, it is reliant, like H. piceatus, on mature live trees and so is subject to threats including vegetation clearance, timber‐getting, grazing, and increased drought and fire frequency. Due to its critical importance in the life cycle of H. piceatus, any action taken to conserve the butterfly must also consider the importance of preserving healthy populations of A. inclinata.

The barriers and enablers to downloading the COVIDSafe app – a topic modelling analysis

ObjectiveWe report a survey in regional Queensland to understand the reasons for suboptimal uptake of the COVIDSafe app. MethodsA short five‐minute electronic survey disseminated to healthcare professionals, mining groups and school communities in the Central Queensland region. Free text responses and their topics were modelled using natural language processing and a latent Dirichlet model. ResultsWe received a total of 723 responses; of these, 69% had downloaded the app and 31% had not. The respondents’ reasons for not downloading the app were grouped under four topics: lack of perceived risk of COVID‐19/lack of perceived need and privacy issues; phone‐related issues; tracking and misuse of data; and trust, security and credibility. Among the 472 people who downloaded the app and provided text amenable to text mining, the two topics most commonly listed were: to assist with contact tracing; and to return to normal. ConclusionsThis survey of a regional population found that lack of perceived need, concerns around privacy and technical difficulties were the major barriers to users downloading the application. Implications for public healthHealth promotion campaigns aimed at increasing the uptake of the COVIDSafe app should focus on promoting how the app will assist with contact tracing to help return to ‘normal’. Additionally, health promotors should address the app's impacts on privacy, people's lack of perceived need for the app and technical barriers.

Effects on the embryonic and larval development of cane toads (Rhinella marina) reared in alkaline artesian spring water

AbstractInvasive species are generally characterised by broad environmental tolerances that allow them to successfully inhabit multiple ecosystems. Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are physiologically tolerant to a broad range of environmental conditions; however, it has been observed that they do not frequently reproduce in the Great Artesian Basin springs of central Queensland, Australia, despite inhabiting the surrounding environment. In the present study, we reared cane toad embryos and larvae in a range of water treatments including water sourced from artesian springs at Edgbaston Reserve, to determine if the challenging water chemistry of these environments limits cane toad development. We found that embryos and mid‐ to late‐stage toad larvae were highly tolerant to spring water – there were no significant effects of water treatment on embryonic hatching success and development, and late‐stage larvae exposed to spring water successfully metamorphosed. However, early‐stage larvae were more sensitive and experienced a small increase in mortality when raised in alkaline water treatments compared with carbon‐filtered tap water. Our findings suggest that cane toads can successfully develop in artesian spring water. However, field studies are needed to determine if the sensitivity of early‐stage larvae to alkaline water limits their ability to successfully colonise these springs.

Student work readiness in Australian engineering workplaces through work integrated learning

PurposeAs part of the Co-Operative Education Program (CEP) under study, a Work-integrated Learning (WIL) student engagement framework is presented. The framework focusses on the effectiveness of the WIL program with real-world assessment tasks to prepare students for graduate employment. In order to evaluate the level at which the engineering graduates are work-ready, an analysis of qualitative and quantitative survey data from CQU students, employers and data from other sources was undertaken. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachWIL is an effective pedagogical strategy employed in engineering curriculum to engage students with workplace partners and engineering practices. However, little is known about the problems exist in the WIL processes including insufficient resources and support for mentoring students. On overcoming the problems, an effective collaboration between students, universities and engineering workplaces provides an enhanced engagement experience and enables students’ work-ready skills. Central Queensland University (CQU)’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op) students participate in two 6-month WIL placements over the course of their university studies.FindingsTo identify the impact of the co-operative education model on graduate outcomes, an analysis of student assessment data from 2016 to 2018 showed that the student employability indicators were consistently above the national average of graduate engineering students. All areas such as knowledge base, engineering ability and professional attributes, students’ performance were rated at or above the average of a graduate engineer by employers.Originality/valueAs part of practice assessment, engineering workplace employers provide an evaluation of students’ performance against the Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers, involving sixteen mandatory elements in the areas of knowledge and skill base, engineering application ability, and professional and personal attributes.

Partitioning of nutritional and bioactive compounds between the kernel, hull and husk of five new chickpea genotypes grown in Australia

Chickpea is the second-most grown legume crop world-wide; however, most chickpea genotypes are susceptible to drought and heat stress, limiting expansion of this crop beyond current growing regions. Consequently, this study evaluated the agronomic performance and phyto-nutritional content of five new genotypes of desi chickpea, grown under rainfed conditions in central Queensland, Australia. Four of the new genotypes showed significantly improved yield over PBA Drummond, while two showed higher protein content. The chickpea hull byproduct typically contained a higher total phenolic content (56–150 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (38–174 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g) compared to the kernel (TPC of 65–105 mg GAE/100 g and FRAP of 44–62 mg TE/100 g); however, this was not true for every variety. The husk also contained high levels of phenolics and antioxidant activity, highlighting the potential of chickpea hull and husk for use as value-added byproducts, rather than being discarded. This study highlights the difference in byproduct phyto-nutritional value that exists between chickpea genotypes, indicating that these parameters should also be considered when selecting genotypes in breeding programs. Furthermore, it presents several new genotypes of desi chickpea which may be suited to cropping in drier, warmer environments.

Heavy grazing of buffel grass pasture in the Brigalow Belt bioregion of Queensland, Australia, more than tripled runoff and exports of total suspended solids compared to conservative grazing

Loss of sediment and particulate nutrients in runoff from the extensive grazing lands of the Fitzroy Basin, central Queensland, continue to contribute to the declining health of the Great Barrier Reef. This study measured differences in hydrology and water quality from conservative and heavy grazing pressures on rundown improved grass pastures in the Fitzroy Basin. Conservative grazing pressure was defined as the safe long-term carrying capacity for rundown buffel grass pasture, whereas heavy grazing pressure was defined as the recommended stocking rate for newly established buffel grass pasture. Heavy grazing of rundown pasture resulted in 2.5 times more bare ground and only 8% of the pasture biomass compared to conservative grazing. Heavy grazing also resulted in 3.6 times more total runoff and 3.3 times the peak runoff rate compared to conservative grazing. Loads of total suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus in runoff were also greater from heavy than conservative grazing.

The impact of a regional smoking cessation program on referrals and use of Quitline services in Queensland, Australia: a controlled interrupted time series analysis

BackgroundThe prevalence of smoking in Central Queensland (CQ), Australia was higher than the state and national averages. A regional smoking cessation initiative (“10,000 Lives”) was launched to promote available interventions (e.g., Quitline). We investigated the impact of “10,000 Lives” on referral to and use of Quitline services. MethodsWe conducted an interrupted time series analysis using a segmented Poisson regression model to measure the impact of “10,000 Lives” on monthly referrals to, and use of Quitline services (counselling sessions and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) dispatched by Quitline), in CQ compared to other areas in the state (control population). The control population included all regional areas in Queensland with a comparable smoking prevalence to CQ and similar access to Quitline's Intensive Quit Support Program. We calculated the changes in level and trend of outcomes in CQ relative to the change in the control area during the post-launch period of “10,000 Lives”. The models were checked for autocorrelation and seasonality and adjusted accordingly. FindingsAfter the introduction of “10,000 Lives”, the mean monthly rate per 1,000 smoking population increased in the intervention area for each outcome; e.g., from 3.3 to 10.8 for referrals to Quitline, from 1.6 to 4.4 for initial counselling session completed. These results were validated by the controlled interrupted time series analysis which showed relative increases for each of these outcomes (238•5% for monthly rate of referral to Quitline per 1,000 smoking population and 248•6% for monthly rate of initial counselling sessions completed per 1,000 smoking population). InterpretationOur study demonstrates a locally coordinated health promotion initiative can promote and boost the referral to, and use of Quitline smoking cessation services. FundingThe research is funded by a collaborative research grant between School of Public Health at University of Queensland and Central Queensland Public Health Unit which is awarded by the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS93907). The lead author (AK) is supported by a University of Queensland Research Training Scholarship and a Research Higher Degree Top-up Scholarship.

Performance ‘Training’ in the Dirt: facilitating belonging in a regional community musical theatre event

Community-engaged theatre projects are host to a complex dynamic set of tensions, particularly when volunteers from a specific community are partnered with visiting professional/industry artists or ‘systems convenors’. These tensions are given nuance in regional Australia, where community-engaged projects frequently utilise metropolitan-based artists to facilitate creation with local partipants, implicitly indicating that ‘regional’ may be conflated with ‘amateur’. The authors seek to interrogate the tensions at the heart of creating genuine rapport through the ‘training’ of un-trained participants in community-engaged projects. This paper focuses on one such project by the Queensland Music Festival, The Power Within (2017), built in collaboration with the Isaac Shire Council in central Queensland. In particular, the paper draws on the experience of one adolescent in the process: Sam, who credits The Power Within as beneficial in establishing his emerging personal identity. In this, the authors draw upon the work of Orr and Shreeve (2018) to demonstrate the relationship between personal and community identity. Further elucidation is gained through the work of Margaret Archer and Pierre Bourdieu to explore the deeply reflexive nature of face-to-face training in the unique environment of remote Central Queensland. This reveals the nuances at the crucible of atypical, informal and imposed training that can operate within community-engaged theatre projects in regional Queensland. Ultimately, for Sam, the key learnings from the project assisted in the establishment of himself as a professional make-up artist, an outcome entirely unpredicted by the creative leadership team tasked with collaborating with him. The authors posit it is this unpredictability that renders the training within community-engaged arts projects unique and bespoke.

Re-emergence of dengue virus in regional Queensland: 2019 dengue virus outbreak in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia.

To describe an autochthonous dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) outbreak in Central Queensland from May 2019 and subsequent public health actions. Public health outbreak investigation of locally acquired DENV-2 cases in Rockhampton, Central Queensland. This included laboratory investigations, associated mosquito vector surveillance, and control measures implemented in response to the outbreak. Twenty-one locally-acquired DENV-2 cases were identified during the Rockhampton outbreak (from 23 May to 7 October 2019): 13 laboratory-confirmed and eight probable cases. Clinical symptoms included lethargy (100%); fever (95%); headache (95%); and aches and pains (90%). Inspections of premises demonstrated that Aedes aegypti was present in 9.5% of those investigated which was more than half of the premises identified as containing mosquitoes. Nucleotide sequencing of a DENV-2 isolate recovered from the first confirmed case and DENV-2 RNA from an additional 5 patients indicated a single DENV-2 strain was responsible for the outbreak which was most closely related to DENV-2 strains from Southeast Asia. The 2019 DENV-2 outbreak in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia, likely resulted from the importation of a strain, most closely related to DENV-2 strains from Southeast Asia and is the first reported outbreak in the region specifically implicating DENV-2. Given the presence of Aedes aegypti in Rockhampton, appropriate medical and mosquito avoidance advice; ongoing surveillance; and deployment of mosquito control strategies for the prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases should be priorities for this region.