Objectives: To investigate two outbreaks of dengue type 2 in north Queensland, one in the Torres Strait beginning in late 1996, the other in a Cairns suburb in early 1997. Design: Epidemiological investigation of all laboratory‐confirmed cases of dengue, entomological investigation of the local environment, and laboratory analysis of the isolated dengue viruses. Main outcome measures: Numbers of confirmed and of locally acquired cases; virus serotype; comparison of nucleotide sequences between viruses isolated from the two outbreaks; and Breteau Index (Bl = number of containers with larvae of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti found per 100 houses investigated) on the affected islands and in the Cairns suburb. Results: There were 201 confirmed cases of dengue in the Torres Strait outbreak, which lasted nearly seven months, and seven confirmed cases in the Cairns outbreak, which lasted about nearly 11 weeks. Most (190) were confirmed as dengue type 2. Nucleotide sequencing of viruses isolated from the two outbreaks showed they were identical. Ae. aegypti breeding sites were very common on the five Torres Strait islands surveyed (Bis, 73‐219 ‐ high risk), but less so in the Cairns suburb (Bl, 23). The most common breeding sites were water storage reservoirs, particularly rainwater tanks, on the outer Torres Strait islands, discarded containers (such as plastic containers, buckets and tyres) on Thursday Island, and garden items (such as flowerpot bases and jars) in Cairns. Conclusions: The virus responsible for the Cairns outbreak was most probably introduced from the Torres Strait, whereas the virus responsible for the Torres Strait outbreak was imported from Papua New Guinea. Preventive strategies tailored to specific locations are needed to reduce breeding of Ae. aegypti in north Queensland, and the consequent risk of future outbreaks of dengue.

Objective To describe five outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection associated with illicit drug use during a statewide outbreak of HAV infection in Queensland. Design Risk factor prevalence survey. Patients and setting All 875 cases of HAV infection notified to Public Health Units in Queensland in the 12 months to 30 November 1997. Main outcome measure Type and prevalence of illicit drug use. Results Risk factor assessment was completed for 804 cases (91.9%). We identified five outbreaks of HAV infection linked to illicit drug use. These outbreaks accounted for 24.6% (215/875) of all notified cases and 39% (190/482) of notified cases in the 15‐34 years age group. The main type of illicit drug use in four of the five outbreaks was injecting drug use (74%; 118/160), while in the other outbreak it was sharing of smoking implements for marijuana (38%; 21/55). Conclusion Illicit drug use may be an under‐recognised risk factor for HAV infection, particularly in young people. Faecal‐oral transmission through poor personal hygiene, including sharing of implements for smoking marijuana, is the most probable route of transmission in these drug‐linked outbreaks. The role of contaminated drug and needle‐sharing remains to be clarified.

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This paper explores the sacred music of the Boboshanti, a Rastafari order founded in Jamaica in 1958. The music of the Boboshanti—its drumming, chanting, and singing—is similar to that of the more well-known Nyahbinghi Order with which most researchers of Rastafari are familiar, but it has its own distinct and unique characteristics. The focus of this contribution will be twofold. First, as enumerated by Ikael Tafari in Rastafari in Transition (2001), the drumming will be contextualized as a cultural trilectic that incorporates the three geopolitical dimensions of Ethiopia, continental Africa, and the Caribbean/American diaspora. Second, and unique to this order, the individual and congregational chanting, coupled with the structured hymnody and singing, is explored and delineated as Garvey's ontological viewing of the Godhead “through the spectacles of Ethiopia” (Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey 44, 1923).