Apr2013_NETWORK TOPIC

WHEN MOZZIE BITES ARE BAD NEWS . . . . 

A local resident has contacted me to advise that they have been diagnosed with Ross River Virus – a mutated strain that would appear to have more severe and longer lasting symptoms than the general variety!

Much more is known about this mosquito-borne virus than when I contracted it whilst living in Townsville . . . . I actually was living just down the street from the Ross River at the time!!  My case was very mild with the diagnosis only made via blood tests, done much later for another matter, revealing I had contracted the virus at some stage.  (I didn’t get sick often in those days . . .) 

There are a few different types of mosquitoes that spread this virus from animals to humans – but here we can rule out the salt marsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax.  That leaves Culex annulirostris – which breeds in permanent bodies of fresh water; and Aedes notoscriptus which breeds in containers close to homes and other human activity such as bird baths, pot plant saucers and backyard rubbish which holds water.

In Townsville they ran house-by-house audits – checking, then alerting residents to potential breeding sites around their homes.  We were advised to empty water from pot plant saucers etc, as well as scrubbing those saucers to destroy dormant larvae. With the current high saturation levels we’d really be hard put to find a dry spot outside.  (How wet is your garden mulch etc?)

Prevention of mosquito bites is important as the consequences will be more than just nuisance value if these guys are involved.

Dusk and dawn are popular feeding times for these mozzies.

Use insect repellents and wear protective, light coloured clothing The NSW Govt. website (which carries more information that Qld’s) even specifies that repellents containing DEET are best, and emphasises that they need to be reapplied as per directions.  They also advise that the mozzies can bite through clothing, so suggest using repellent on the clothing as well!                 Doreen.