NSW Health undertakes mosquito surveillance across NSW from November to April each year, which provides important information to the community about when mosquito-borne disease risk is high.
MLHD Public Health Director Alison Nikitas said in the past week, Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus was detected in a sentinel chicken in Cowra and Ross River Fever (RRF) virus was detected in mosquitoes trapped in Griffith.
These detections follow a detection of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in routine mosquito surveillance from the Griffith area at Lake Wyangan earlier this month.
“It is very important for the community to remain aware of the risks and to take precautions against mosquito bites this over the holiday period,” Ms Nikitas said.
“Unlike JE, there is no vaccination or specific treatment for the MVE or RRF viruses and the best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which are most active between dusk and dawn.”
Ms Nikitas said MVE virus in rare cases can cause severe neurological illness.
“Only a small proportion of people infected with the virus will have any symptoms, which include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and muscle aches. Among those who get a severe infection, lifelong neurological complications or death can result,” she said.
“Signs of severe infection include severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright lights, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.”
Ms Nikitas said these viruses are spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. They are not spread from person to person.
“Some people infected with Ross River virus will have fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, stiffness and swelling, rash on the body, arms or legs and tiredness or weakness,” she said.
“Most people will make a full recovery after a few weeks. Others may have symptoms such as joint pain and tiredness for many months.”
Actions to prevent mosquito bites include:
- Applying repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times
- Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear. and socks
- Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk
- Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
- Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
- Removing items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
- Using repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions
- Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges
- While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net
For further information on MVE and RRF viruses and ways to protect yourself visit Mosquito borne diseases.
Residents of Murrumbidgee LHD are also reminded that there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis. Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available on Japanese encephalitis vaccination.
