Hunter New England Health has issued an alert to people in the Hunter and Lower Mid North Coast regions due to an increase in mosquito activity and the first confirmed human cases of Ross River and Barmah Forest virus infection of the summer.
 
Hunter New England Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim advises that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which spread Ross River and Barmah Forest disease.

“These viruses are spread by mosquitoes that feed on animals that have the infection,” Dr Durrheim said.

“Although the illness caused by the viruses is not fatal, it can cause persistent and debilitating symptoms such as aches and pains in joints, fever, chills, headache and sometimes a rash. The rash usually disappears after seven to 10 days.”

“The initial spring rain in the affected areas would have resulted in mosquito breeding, with female mosquitoes seeking a blood meal and thus passing on infection. The warmer weather, longer days and holidays have seen people spending more time outside and become exposed.”

“As there is no specific treatment for Barmah Forest or Ross River Virus, prevention depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially in the summer and autumn months when infections peak,” Dr Durrheim said.

Methods for avoiding mosquito bites include:

• Avoiding being outside unprotected before dawn and after dusk
• Avoiding known high risk breeding sites, including marsh areas
• When outside wearing loose fitting, light coloured clothes that cover arms and legs
• Using an insect repellent that contains the chemical DEET or picaridin on exposed skin
• Fitting fly screens to all windows and doors and keeping these in good repair
• If mosquitoes are inside, using a knockdown insecticide in bedrooms half an hour before going to bed according to instructions
• Ensure that there are no pools of water around the home where mosquitos can breed, for example, undrained pot plants, blocked gutters and old tyres

Contact: Tanya Carlyle

Phone: 0428 112 028