Queensland and local Rockhampton officials are urging people to take precautions after a local resident became the first in decades to catch Dengue Fever locally.

Other Aussies have been infected with the mosquito-borne illness.  But they had traveled overseas, unlike the new patient.

"The individual has no history of overseas travel or travel to north Queensland, where Dengue outbreaks are known to occur," said Central Queensland Public Health Unit director Dr. Gulam Khandaker.  "(The Aedes aegypti mosquito) is present in some areas of Rockhampton, however, as mosquito numbers are small and located in areas with low population density, locally acquired cases do not usually occur.

Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, aches and pains, nausea - mild or severe.  

"Anyone with these symptoms should see their GP immediately to discuss the need for a dengue fever test," said Dr. Khandaker.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds around Rockhampton, but there are steps people can take to protect themselves - such as getting rid of standing water on properties.

"This is a mosquito that only breeds in artificial containers," said Health Unit Environmental Health Services Director Paul Florian.  "So, in ponds, and rivers and streams and lakes, and puddles of water on the side of the road, it doesn't breed in those. It breeds in containers - so buckets and tyres and pot bases.