Northern Territory Government
NT Health Beat the bite - Protect against mosquitoes
23 March 2026
Territorians are urged to take precaution with increased mosquito activity, following recent heavy rain.
Current weather conditions are providing suitable breeding conditions for mosquitoes across the Northern Territory, which is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
NT Health has undertaken control measures across Katherine, including ground and aerial mosquito management, treatment of 145 hectares of active mosquito breeding areas, and adult trapping.
NT Health will continue larval control in Katherine on 26 and 27 March to reduce mosquito numbers and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
The Barkly region and Alice Springs are currently experiencing high numbers of mosquitoes due to extensive recent and ongoing rainfall.
Mosquito numbers are expected to remain high until breeding areas have dried up.
The NT remains in a high-risk period for mosquito borne disease transmission until the end of June, including for the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis.
The mosquitoes that transmit these diseases are mostly active at dusk, during the night and at dawn.
In partnership with the Darwin Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, NT Health is continuing testing mosquitoes for potential viruses. To date, no virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the Top End or Central Australia tested since January 2026.
NT residents and visitors are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites during outdoor activities by:
· Wearing loose-fitting and light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and long pants, with feet also protected
· Using insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD)
· Staying away from mosquito prone areas, especially at night
· Ensuring flyscreens on doors and windows are in good condition
· Tipping out and containers in backyards to prevent mosquito breeding
· Using mosquito coils or mosquito lanterns with insecticide treated pads for small and sheltered outdoor areas.
