Ross river virus warning after mosquitoes head to Adelaide’s north
- From: The Advertiser
- March 06, 2014
MOZZIES are on the march, bringing Ross River virus to Adelaide’s northern suburbs and prompting a warning from SA Health to cover up and take care.
The hot summer followed by significant rain provided the insects with ideal breeding conditions.
Traps in various areas around the State to catch mosquitoes and detect any diseases they might be carrying now are showing larger than expected numbers of the insects.
The traps are part of the normal mosquito management activities operated by local councils and SA Health.
A survey of the traps has shown higher than usual numbers of mosquitoes, according to SA Health director of health protection Dr Chris Lease.
While the number of mosquito-borne infections has remained relatively low so far this year, insects carrying the debilitating Ross River virus have been caught in Adelaide’s northern areas.
“While mosquito bites may seem more annoying than harmful, they can spread diseases, such as Ross River virus or Barmah Forest virus,” Dr Lease said.
“Mosquitoes breed anywhere there is still water. The recent hot weather, followed by large amounts of rain, appears to have created optimal breeding conditions.
“We have also been notified by the University of South Australia’s Mosquitoes and Public Health Research Group that they have detected Ross River virus in mosquitoes trapped along a number of coastal locations in the northern Adelaide.
“This emphasises the importance of all South Australians fighting the bite by taking precautions to avoid being bit and reduce mosquito breeding sites in and around their homes.
“The key actions to fight the bite are to cover up, repel and eliminate.”
SA Health advises the public to cover up by wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing, repel using an insect repellent containing either DEET or Picaridin, and eliminate mosquito breeding sites around the home such as containers that can hold water like pot plant drip trays or pet water bowls.
It is also important that people eliminate mosquitoes coming inside their home by using insect screens on their doors and windows.
Symptoms caused by mosquito-borne infections may vary in severity from person to person and can include joint pain, rash, fever, fatigue or muscle pain.
While most people will recover completely in a few weeks, some can have severe symptoms for many months. Anyone suffering from symptoms should contact their doctor for advice.
Across South Australia, there have been six cases of Ross River virus so far this year compared to 37 at this time last year. There were a total of 178 cases of the virus in 2013.
Information on how to protect against mosquito bites and infections is available at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or from local councils.Originally published as Warning: the mozzies are coming