South Australians are being urged to fight the bite, as a perfect storm of floods and heat have caused mosquitoes numbers to explode across the state.
One month into the current mosquito season, SA monitoring trapshave already detected more than five times the usual whole-season amount ofmosquitoes carrying harmful Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus(BFV).
Mosquitoes trapped inthe Loxton Waikerie and Mid Murray council areas include high to extremenumbers of Culex annulirostris, the main mosquito species which carries Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Murray Valleyencephalitis virus (MVEV) and Kunjin/West Nile Virus (WNV/KUN).
While a vaccination is available for JEV in flood affected areas along River Murray, there is no vaccination or cure for other infections.
All South Australians are being urged to Fight the Bite.
- Wear long, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing, covering as much of the body as you can.
- Use a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD)
- Apply repellent evenly to all areas of exposed skin, like you would with sunscreen
- Reapply regularly, as per the label instructions
- Stop mosquitos coming indoors with mesh over doors, windows and vents
- Remove stagnant water from around your home - including fresh or salt water in puddles, bird baths, paddling pools, roof gutters, pots and containers
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