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NSW Health has warned people to protect themselves against mosquito borne diseases as the weather warms up and people move outdoors.
Medical Entomologist at NSW Health Pathology, Dr Cameron Webb, said the warmer weather was a time for increasing mosquito activity and it was important to prepare against diseases carried by them such as Ross River and Barmah Forest virus.
There were nine official notifications of Ross River virus in NSW Between October 28 and November 3 this year and 11 in the previous week. There have been 512 cases reported so far this year across NSW compared with a total of 1592 during 2017, and 595 in 2016.
NSW has robust system around the notification of mosquito-borne disease that includes the trapping of mosquitoes to monitor their abundance and the activity of viruses that causes diseases.
Mosquito numbers have previously been monitored by NSW Health and other organisations across Sydney including Bankstown, Blacktown, Geroges River, Hawkesbury, Hills Shire, Penrith Ryde and Sydney Olympic Park.
During 2015 there were seven confirmed cases of Ross River virus on the Central — the highest annual figure in the region for the last five years.
Monitoring of local mosquito numbers was conducted in 2015 and 2016 at Empire Bay, Killcare Heights, Ourimbah, Halekulani, and Charmhaven.
“The incidence of Ross River and Barmah Forest virus infections increases over hotter months, especially with people spending more time outside,” Dr Webb said.
Dr Webb said these diseases were more common “in rural and bushy areas around Sydney” but urged people to avoid mosquito and insect bites.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms usually develop in around seven to 10 days and can resemble the flu, with aches and pains in muscles and joints. There can also be a rash badociated with them, and a general feeling of feeling weak or unwell.
Most people recover in a few weeks, some will continue to experience symptoms like joint pain and fatigue for many months.
There is currently no vaccine for either disease so preventing them means avoiding the bites of mosquitoes that spread them.
WHAT IS ROSS RIVER VIRUS
Ross River virus infection is the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in Australia, with more than 4,000 cases of illness are reported every year. Activity has been recorded from every state and territory in the country. And while Ross River virus generally considered a disease of rural regions, it is increasingly active at urban fringes where there are suitable wetlands and other conditions.
An outbreak of Ross River virus has been recorded in Melbourne for the first time. Six cases have been confirmed, three in Frankston and another three in Cranbourne. Courtesy: Seven News
Ross River virus is increasingly being detected in urban areas.
HOW TO AVOID MOSSIES
■ Avoid being outside unprotected, particularly during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
■ When outside cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.
■ Apply mosquito repellent regularly to exposed areas (as directed on the container). Repellents containing Diethyl Toluamide (DEET) or Picaridin are best.
■ Do not use repellents on the skin of children under the age of three months. Instead, use physical barriers such as netting on prams, cots and play areas for babies.
■ Screen all windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
When camping, use flyscreens, or sleep under mosquito nets.
■ Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water or by emptying the containers.
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