As Easter and school holidays approach, the Murrumbidgee community is being reminded to take protective measures against mosquito bites following detections of both Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin virus in the region.
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites
The two viruses were detected after routine testing of sentinel chickens at Hay on 20 March 2023.
Alison Nikitas, Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s Director of Public Health is encouraging the community to take actions to avoid being bitten.
“With many people planning events for the Easter break or the school holidays, it is very important that everyone takes the appropriate steps to protect against mosquito bites,” Ms Nikitas said.
"There is no vaccination or specific treatment for MVE or Kunjin virus and the best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which are most active between dusk and dawn.
"Avoiding mosquito bites will also protect against other mosquito-borne infections including Japanese encephalitis, Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest virus."
Ms Nikitas said most people who are infected with either MVE or Kunjin virus do not have any symptoms.
"Only a small proportion of people infected with the viruses will experience symptoms which include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and muscle aches,” Ms Nikitas said.
“Rarely, these viruses cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness in some cases. Among those who get a severe infection, some may die or have lifelong neurological complications.”
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites by:
wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks, especially around dusk and dawn
applying repellent to all areas of exposed skin, using repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming, being sure to always apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent
covering openings such as windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps in them
removing items that might collect water (such as old tyres, empty pots) outside your house where mosquitoes can breed
improving drainage on your property so that water does not become stagnant
using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outside)
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