A potential downside of doing the right thing and collecting rainwater is that we may be unwittingly increasing the risk of dengue fever spreading.
Large numbers of water tanks contain design flaws that render them a risk for attracting the type of mosquito that causes dengue fever. An epidemic of dengue is currently underway in Queensland, claiming one life in March this year. Find out why rainwater tanks can be a dengue risk .
More dengue deaths expected
With more dengue deaths expected , Cairns council has introduced on-the-spot fines for offenders who fail to clear containers and other mosquito-breeding sites from their backyards.
For more on mosquito-borne diseases:
14 April 2009
