NSW residents warned of mosquito bite risk over Easter weekend
NSW Health has issued a reminder warning people against the risks of mosquito bites during the Easter long weekend and upcoming school holidays.
Recent mosquito monitoring has detected Ross River virus activity in mosquito trappings in parts of greater western Sydney.
Earlier this year, Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and Barmah Forest virus activity were detected in inland areas of NSW.
Photo ...
A mosquito leaves drips of blood after drawing blood from an arm. Warm weather and heavy rainfalls have resulted in a boost in mosquito numbers
Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP
NSW Health executive director of health protection, Dr Kerryn Coleman, said even though summer was over, continuing warm weather and wet conditions meant mosquitoes were still present in significant numbers, particularly in the greater Sydney region.
The Easter long weekend and the school holidays are a time when many people travel, spend time outdoors, and take part in activities like camping and visiting parks, which can increase the risk of exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites.
The Ross River virus activity recently detected in greater Sydney is particularly concerning because of the density of the population, so with many people planning to be outdoors, we are encouraging them to take the necessary precautions not to get bitten.
Viruses such as Ross River and Barmah Forest can cause unpleasant symptoms, including tiredness, rash, fever, and sore and swollen joints.
These symptoms usually last a few days, but some people may experience these symptoms for weeks or even months.
There is no specific treatment for these viruses. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
NSW Health recently expanded free access to the JE vaccine to people who plan to visit high-risk local government areas for outdoor recreational activities including camping, caravanning, boating, hunting and fishing while mosquito activity remains high.
The JE vaccine is also free for anyone who lives or routinely works in various inland regions as well as people who work in some high-risk occupations.
As for holidays ... perhaps this was an attempt to dissuade people from travelling ... lol
#PrecautionaryPrincipleFFS #PreventionBetterThanCure (BTW, as is the case for SARS-CoV-2, there is no💊 for these infections either) ... #ZoonoticsLoveToTravel
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