Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes

Warm weather in the summer months bring more mosquitoes. This means more mosquito breeding and biting. Some mosquitoes can carry diseases that can make you sick.

In our region, mosquitoes can carry four main diseases. These include:

  • Ross River virus
  • Barmah Forest virus
  • Murray Valley encephalitis virus
  • Japanese encephalitis virus

The most common disease mosquitos in the Loddon Mallee region carry is Ross River virus (RRV). Most people who get RRV don’t have any symptoms. For those that do, the symptoms may include fever, joint inflammation and pain, rash, fatigue and muscle aches. Most people recover completely within three to six months. Barmah Forest virus occurs less commonly. Symptoms can be similar to RRV.

Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) are rare but can cause serious disease. JE is currently the only mosquito disease of concern in the Loddon Mallee region that we have a vaccine for. Most people infected with JE or MVE do not have symptoms or only have mild symptoms and make a full recovery. If symptoms do occur, they can include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches (MVE only). In severe infections, people may develop neck stiffness, seizures, sensitivity to light, confusion and loss of consciousness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.

More information on JE can be found here.

 Your best protection against mosquitoes and the viruses the spread, is to avoid being bitten.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe this summer.

Prepare your home:

  • Clean stagnant water around your home (even very small pools of water) where mosquitoes can breed.
  • Empty and replace water in bird baths, pet drinking bowls, and water features at least once a week.
  • Cut long grass, shrubs, and bushes.
  • Keep your gutters and swimming pools clean.
  • Check water tanks are sealed and fitted with mosquito-proof screens and/or flap valves on every opening including overflows.
  • Maintaining fly screens on windows, doors, vents, and chimneys.
  • Using insect surface sprays both inside and outside the house to kill mosquitoes.

Protect yourself from being bitten:

  • Use mosquito repellent containing DEET or picaridin on all exposed skin. Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes as well as shoes with socks. Note: mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing.
  • Try to limit outdoor activity during the evening when mosquitos are more active.
  • If on holiday, making sure your accommodation is fitted with mosquito netting or screens.

 Get the JE vaccine: Bendigo Health Website - Japanese encephalitis (JE)

More information on mosquito repellents: 

There are different types of mosquito repellents available but the most effective are those containing DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil.

Repellent should be applied as a thin layer evenly to all exposed areas of skin and rubbed in. When using sunscreen as well, use sunscreen first, and then apply the repellent. Mosquito repellent does need to be reapplied – check the product instructions for how frequently this should happen as it depends on the strength of the repellent. If you’re sweating a lot or swimming, you will need to reapply more frequently.

Repellents containing citronella or tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil have not been shown to provide effective protection.

Wearable repellents (patches / wrist bands) and ultrasonic devices have also not been shown to provide effective protection from mosquitoes.

Links for further information:

Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease - Better Health Channel

Mosquitoes - protect your home checklist - Better Health Channel

Mosquitoes - mozzie-proof your holiday checklist - Better Health Channel

Japanese encephalitis virus (health.vic.gov.au)