Griffith City Council is urging residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites, with numbers set to rise.
Mosquito numbers can increase after floods and storms as stagnant water from heavy rainfall and flooding provides the perfect conditions for mosquito breeding. Increased numbers of mosquitoes lead to an increased risk of being bitten and contracting mosquito borne diseases.
Griffith City Council's Environment and Health Department is currently participating in the 2022/23 NSW Arbovirus Surveillance Program to provide an early warning of the presence of Japanese Encephalitis (JEV) virus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Kunjin (KUNV) virus in an effort to reduce the potential for human disease.
This program commenced on 11 October 2022 and will typically run through to April 2023. It also includes the weekly bleeding of Council's Sentinel Flock (15 Chickens). Blood samples are taken from the flock for identification and presence of disease. Weekly mosquito collection traps are set at two locations.
The latest trapping has yielded a large increase on the previous two weeks.
Council's Director Sustainable Development, Bruce Gibbs is urging locals to protect themselves.
"Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid the outdoors or take preventive actions (such as appropriate clothing and skin repellent). Most mosquitoes become active at dawn and dusk, and into the evening," he said.
"Avoiding mozzie bites will protect you from the diseases they carry. A reminder to spray up, cover up and screen up this summer to keep mozzies away."
Learn more: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mosquito.aspx
