Adelaide | SA Health is reminding people to protect themselves and their families against mosquito-borne infections this summer.
SA Health’s Director of Health Protection, Dr Chris Lease, said people tend to spend more time outside during summer months and may be exposed to more mosquitoes.
“While the number of mosquito-borne infections is currently low, it’s still important that people protect themselves from getting bitten and potentially getting a mosquito-borne infection,” Dr Lease said.
“There are a number of simple things that people can do to protect themselves and their families from mozzies by remembering to cover up, repel and eliminate.
“This includes covering up and wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing, using an insect repellent containing either DEET or Picaridin, and eliminating places around the home where water may have collected and mosquitoes may be breeding.
“People should also take particular care when going outside when mosquitoes are most active and use insect screens on home, caravan or tent doors and windows.”
Recent testing has shown there are a number of mosquito borne infections currently circulating that potentially can cause illness, including Kunjin virus as well as the more common Ross River Virus (RRv) and Barmah Forest Virus (BFv).
Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) has also recently been detected in birds in NSW and WA, but not in SA. However, Kunjin virus has been detected in some sentinel birds in SA’s far north this year.
These diseases are spread via mosquito bites and are not transmitted from person to person or directly from birds. However, as these viruses are often carried by water birds, there is a risk that these diseases are potentially present wherever these birds and mosquitoes are.
There have been no reported cases of Kunjin infection in humans in SA for more than 20 years. There have been two cases of MVE in SA in the past eight years.
The symptoms caused by mosquito borne disease may vary in severity from person to person and can include joint pain, rash, fever, headache, fatigue or muscle pain. In extreme cases, encephalitis can occur.
While most people will recover completely in a few weeks, some can have quite severe symptoms for many months and for a very small number of people, MVE or Kunjin virus can be serious. Anyone suffering from symptoms should contact their doctor for advice.
Information on how to Fight the Bite! and protect against mosquito bites and infections is available at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or from your local council.
