Easter mosquito precautions
Take precautions against mosquitoes this Easter holiday period.
As Easter and school holidays approach, the Murrumbidgee community is being reminded to take protective measures against mosquito bites.
Easter is traditionally a time when both residents and visitors to the region enjoy outdoor activities, increasing the risk of exposure to mosquitoes.
Dr Anton Forsyth, Murrumbidgee Local Health District Public Health Physician 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,” Dr Forsyth said.
Mosquitoes in NSW can potentially carry a range of diseases for which there are no vaccines including Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.
They can also carry Japanese encephalitis (JE), for which a vaccine is available.
“People living or working in areas at high-risk for JE can access a free vaccine to protect against JE virus. Until 1 June 2026 the vaccine is also free for people travelling to high-risk LGAs for outdoor recreation (such as camping, caravaning, boating, hunting and fishing etc). The JE vaccine is available through general practitioners, Aboriginal Medical Services and pharmacists,” Dr Forsyth said.
Once fully vaccinated, it can take between 2 to 4 weeks for your body to develop a protective immune response to the disease, so if you’re eligible, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
To prevent mosquito bites:
- Apply repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times and make sure repellents are safe for children. Most repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older.
- Wear light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and covered footwear
- Avoid going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk
- Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
- Cover windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
- Remove items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
- While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net
Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available on Japanese encephalitis vaccination.
For further information avoiding mosquito bites visit Mosquito-borne disease.