Territory residents planning to enjoy the outdoors this Easter are being warned of the risk of mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis.

Medical entomologist, Nina Kurucz said that the Easter period falls within the high risk period for the disease.

“With Territorians potentially enjoying camping and fishing trips this Easter weekend, the Centre for Disease Control is warning of the need to protect from getting bitten by mosquitoes,”  said Nina Kurucz . 

“Although mosquito numbers are currently low in urban areas, they can still occur in relatively high numbers locally in rural areas.”

To avoid mosquito borne disease, Ms Kurucz encouraged people to cover up, use repellent and avoid outdoor exposure around mosquito prone areas, such as creeks and wetlands – especially after sundown, until the end of June.

“The MVE virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Culex annulirostris mosquito, which mainly breeds in vegetated flood plains, creeks, river flood levees, lagoons, billabongs, and extensive coastal and inland swamps,” she said.

In the Northern Territory MVE activity is monitored using a sentinel chicken surveillance system, with the chickens tested monthly for the MVE virus by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. 

“Although the sentinel chickens have not yet tested positive this season, the high risk period extends from now to the end of June,” Ms Kurucz said.

“Murray Valley encephalitis can be a very serious disease, in some cases causing delirium, coma, permanent brain damage or death. Symptoms can include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremor and seizure. 

Young children, as relatively “unexposed newcomers “ to the environment, as well as new residents and travelers to the NT need to be well protected from mosquito bites.  

To minimise the risk of mosquito borne disease you should:

·         ensure that children especially are well protected against mosquito bites

·         avoid outdoor exposure around dusk, and at night, within 2 km of swamps, creeks, rivers, billabongs and other flooded or low lying areas.

·         Use mosquito coils, mosquito lanterns, and apply barrier sprays containing bifenthrin in patio and outdoor areas near houses.

·         use mosquito proof accommodation and camping facilities at night

·         wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers, and ankle protection with socks, between dusk and dawn in areas where mosquitoes are likely

·         use a protective skin repellent containing 20% DEET or picaridin

Media contact: Lorraine Hook 0427 596 954