Mosquito-borne illnesses – reducing your risk at home and on holidays

With all the recent rain (thank you, La Niña number 3) and flooding in parts of Australia, there has been quite a bit in the media lately about mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Japanese encephalitis and Ross River fever. The weather is warming up and, like in the tropics and most sub-tropical regions of the world, this is peak mosquito-breeding time.

As we head into summer, whether you are planning a trip to warm locations overseas, recently flooded zones here in Australia or even just planning some outdoor activities closer to home, now is a good time to refresh your memory about some of the dangers and the simple precautions you can take to ensure those pesky mossies don’t ruin your summer.

What are some of the diseases spread by mosquitoes?
Here in Australia we have a number of diseases spread by mosquitoes. The good news is that most infections are mild and get better within a few days or weeks, but a small percentage of people can get very sick with debilitating symptoms such as fatigue and joint problems that can persist for several months. In extreme cases they can cause death. They include:

• Ross River fever
• Japanese encephalitis
• Barmah Forest virus
• Murray Valley encephalitis
• Dengue fever
• Overseas: also dengue & Japanese encephalitis along with malaria, zika virus, yellow fever, West Nile virus and others.

The most common of them here is Ross River fever, which is widespread throughout Australia particularly near rivers and the coast including some areas of Sydney. Japanese encephalitis is now endemic to Australia, having previously only been seen in sporadic outbreaks or overseas, and is a risk in some rural areas and northern Australia.

If you’re heading to tropical climates or even planning a trip to Europe or the US in their summer, it’s a good idea to research your destination before you go for the presence of mosquito-borne illness. As we highlight in our article on travel, we also recommend you see your GP 6-8 weeks prior to leaving in case you need vaccinations or preventative medication for things like malaria.

Simple precautions to take at home or away
You may need more or less of these depending on your level of outdoor activity. Special care should be taken if you are planning on bushwalking, camping, boating, fishing or gardening:

• Bite prevention
  • Cover up! Long, loose clothing is best, particularly at dawn and dusk when most mosquitos are active (NB dengue mosquitoes bite all day). Dark colours attract mozzies so stick to light colours.
  • Use insect repellent. Apply to exposed skin (after sunscreen) and reapply regularly as directed on the packet, especially after swimming, showering or exercising. Choose one that contains at least 20% DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Unfortunately, most “natural” insect repellents such as citronella or tea tree are not very effective. Take enough with you in case you can’t buy it at your destination.
  • Avoid strong scents such as perfumes, body lotions and aftershaves, these attract some mozzies.

• Mosquito reduction
  • Make sure windows or tents have good screens. If camping, a permethrin-infused mosquito net to sleep under provides added protection.
  • Get rid of stagnant water around your house or accommodation – saucers under pot plants, gutters, bird baths (change the water frequently) and so on.
  • Use mosquito coils outside and insect spray inside

If you’re not sure whether your destination or activity carries a risk of mosquito-borne illness, or which strategies are best for you, come and see us for a consultation.