FLOODING and heavy rain about the region has amplified a spring warning to beat the bite and the damage a boom in mosquito numbers might cause.
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Victoria's Health Department has urged everyone to manage stagnant water about their properties in a bid to help curb likely mosquito breeding grounds.
The department confirmed to The Courier earlier this month the state's mosquito surveillance activity had stepped up early to detect viruses such as Ross River fever and Japanese encephalitis in the stinging pests before they infect humans.
This was primarily due to a wet spring and the state's third consecutive La Nina weather event. Heavy rainfall last week, along with flooding in areas such as Creswick and in northern Victoria, are tipped to spur mosquito numbers on sooner.
Mosquito larvae develop in standing/stagnant water that has been standing for at least 7-10 days, according to the CSIRO.
In a bid to help beat the bite, Victorians are urged to:
- Remove stagnant water from about the home so mosquitoes can not breed.
- Empty flowerpot dishes, tyres, buckets and children's toys that hold water.
- Clear gutters, which can also pool stagnant water.
- Check and seal rainwater tanks.
- Cover up and wear long, loose-fitting clothing. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing.
- Use repellents that contain picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin.
- Keep your house safe with insect netting and screens.
Ross River Virus cases were seven times high than usual on the Surf Coast, where Ballarat people typically holiday, heading into Christmas last year.
The mosquito-borne disease can inflict ongoing joint pain and stiffness, headache, fever, rash flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Most people recover within three to six months but some symptoms can linger for more than a year, according to Victoria's health department.
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Victoria has also expanded eligibility for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, the health department confirmed this month, so more people in high-risk areas could get protected before warmer months. This does not include Ballarat but is worth being aware about for those who might travel.
Most people infected with Japanese encephalitis will not know they have been infected but might experience mild flu-like illness. In rare cases, severe brain inflammation can occur.
Meanwhile, Victoria's health department is also warning people to be cautious of bacterial outbreaks such as like Leptospirosis in the wake of flooding. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cough and sore throat.
To best protect against Leprospirosis, the health department encourages people to:
- Avoid contact with water which may be contaminated by animal urine.
- Wear appropriate footwear when outdoors, especially when walking in mud or moist soil.
- Cover wounds and abrasions with waterproof dressings if contact with contaminated animal urine, soil or water is likely.
- Control rodents by cleaning up rubbish and removing food sources that are close to housing.
- Use gloves when gardening.
- Wash hands with soap and water before eating.
- Avoid feeding raw offal to dogs.
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