Greater Shepparton City Council can now access initial funding of $113,000 to expand mosquito control activities and help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Recent heavy rainfall and floods across the state have led to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes that can spread disease. High numbers of mosquitoes will continue over the summer months across the Goulburn Valley region.
Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) – all serious, infectious and potentially life-threatening in the case of MVE.
We are taking action to reduce mosquito numbers by expanding our annual surveillance and mosquito management activities and community education programs.
Council is currently planning to increase staff resources to assist with further surveillance, monitoring of larvae numbers and determining areas for treatment utilising larvicides to stop mosquito larvae from growing. Activities also include trapping adult mosquito to identify types and estimate numbers and testing of sentinel chickens for mosquito borne diseases.
The annual ‘Beat the Bite’ campaign started a month early this year due to the increased mosquito numbers, and is now ramping up again through the holiday season. It urges all Victorians to take simple steps to protect themselves and their family from mosquito bites.
The campaign’s top tips to ‘Beat the Bite’ are:
- Cover up. Wear long, loose fitting clothing because mosquitoes can bite through tight fitting clothing.
- Use effective mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin on all exposed skin.
- Control mosquito numbers. There’s a wide range of ‘knockdown sprays’ or vaporising devices for inside use, including caravans.
- Install flywire screens on all windows and self-closing wire screens on doors.
- Make sure mosquitoes can't breed around your property by removing stagnant water at least every week. This includes in flower pots, tyres, buckets, tins, bird baths and pet bowls.
- Empty children’s wading pools when not being used and keep fishponds stocked with fish.
- Use screens when camping. Mosquito nets or screens will help keep mosquitoes out of tents and added protection can be provided by treating the nets with an appropriate insecticide.
- Limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
If you have any concerns about your health, talk to your doctor or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 606 024. For more information visit: Better Health Channel - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/beat-the-bite or visit http://greatershepparton.com.au/community/safety-and-wellbeing/mosquito-control-program
