Authorities are encouraging residents to protect themselves against mosquitoes after the Ross River virus has been detected in mosquitoes trapped at Narrabeen Lagoon following the floods.
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The virus was discovered through a mosquito trap surveillance program that uses honey to collect mosquito saliva.
These traps are set at Warriewood Wetlands and Deep Creek near the Narrabeen Lagoon trail to monitor the numbers and types of mosquitoes present and determine if they are carrying viral infections.
According to the Northern Beaches Council, the higher than average rainfall due to La Niña has created the perfect conditions for mosquitos to multiply and have meant numbers are up on previous years.
What is Ross River Virus?
Ross River Virus is an infection spread to humans through mosquitoes. A person can get infected by the virus through the bite of certain types of mosquitoes in Australia which can carry the virus.
It’s more common between January and April, especially after heavy rainfall or high tides.
Symptoms of infection include fever, rash, and joint pains. These usually appear once the virus has spread throughout the body. Symptoms can continue for months, although most people recover in a few weeks.
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Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites. You can take the following steps to protect yourself and your family from getting bitten by an infected mosquito:
- Minimise skin exposure by wearing long and loose-fitting clothing
- Apply a repellant that contains Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Be aware of peak mosquito times at dawn and dusk
- Keep your yard free of standing water like containers, birdbaths, kids toys, and pot plant trays where the mosquitoes can breed.
Currently, there are no vaccines against the virus, but painkillers such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve the symptoms.
