Residents in the Barkly and Alice Springs regions are being urged to take precautions to protect themselves against mosquitoes, with numbers expected to increase following heavy rain this week.  

Director of Medical Entomology Nina Kurucz explained that the summer months are the high risk period for Ross River Virus (RRV).  

“During the summer months mosquitoes live long enough to pick up the virus and transmit it to humans,” she said.

“Elevated numbers of common banded mosquitoes can be expected within 5 kilometres of their breeding grounds, such as grassy depressions, seasonal swamps and wetlands.

“To avoid mosquito-borne disease use personal mosquito protection and avoid being outdoors in or close to wetland areas or places where mosquitoes are active, especially after sundown."

Some mosquitoes also breed in water-filled containers and pose a disease risk.

“Rain filled containers, including buckets, plant drip trays and tyres are prime mosquito breeding grounds and need to be tipped out and stored under cover.

“Unused swimming pools can also be productive breeding grounds, and roof gutters need to be cleaned of debris to ensure they are free draining. Rainwater tanks should be inspected to ensure they are sealed against mosquito entry."

People infected with RRV may develop a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, including painful or swollen joints, particularly in the hands, ankles and knees.

“Sore muscles, aching tendons, skin rash, fatigue, fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes are other signs of the illness. Symptoms can last for a few weeks, although some people experience symptoms for up to a year."

People are advised to:

• use a protective repellent containing 20 per cent DEET or Picaridin as a supplement to protective clothing when outdoors in mosquito prone areas
• wear light coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks, between dusk and dawn in areas where mosquito bites are likely
• inspect the outdoors of their residences and businesses for water in receptacles and drain or cover them
• avoid outdoor exposure around dusk and at night near areas of dense vegetation and other areas of high mosquito activity
• use mosquito-proof accommodation and camping facilities at night
• use mosquito coils, mosquito lanterns, and barrier sprays containing bifenthrin in patio and outdoor areas near houses
• ensure children are adequately protected against mosquitoes

Media Contact: Lorraine Hook 8999 2818 or 0401 116 203