Top End residents are urged to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes, as an uncharacteristically dry ‘Wet Season’ has led to a surge in mosquitoes.

The Director of Medical Entomology, Nina Kurucz explained that the patchy dry spells favoured the breeding of the common banded mosquitoes, as swamps and lagoons had become shallow with thick vegetation, preventing the larvae from being eaten by fish and water insects.

“While common banded mosquitoes usually increase at this time of the year, we have recorded the highest number ever collected in Darwin urban this week, with over 7000 mosquitoes counted in a routine mosquito trap set overnight”, Ms Kurucz said.

To reduce mosquito numbers, the NT Department of Health carried out aerial control in known mosquito breeding sites within the Leanyer and Holmes Jungle swamp system adjacent to the Darwin northern suburbs on 11 February 2015.

Ms Kurucz explained that this species is most active at night, and can potentially transmit Ross River virus (RRV) and the potentially deadly Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus. We are currently in the risk season for RRV, March through to June generally marks the high risk period for MVE but current conditions may bring that forward.

To avoid mosquito bites, the Department of Health urges the use of personal protection and avoiding places where mosquitoes are active.

To avoid mosquitoes people are advised to:

• avoid areas near coastal swamps and freshwater wetlands
• avoid outdoor exposure, especially around dusk and at night near dense vegetation and areas of high mosquito activity
• use mosquito-proof accommodation and camping facilities at night
• wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks, especially between dusk and dawn, in areas where mosquito bites are likely
• use protective repellent containing 20 per cent DEET or picaridin as a supplement to protective clothing when outdoors at night in areas of mosquito activity
• use mosquito coils, mosquito lanterns, and barrier sprays containing bifenthrin in patio, screening bushes and outdoor areas near houses
• ensure children and animals are adequately protected against mosquito bites

Media Contact: Dimitra Grehl 8999 2745 or 0427 596 954