Mosquitos
Mosquitoes can give people serious diseases like Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis. Follow these 4 simple steps to protect your family from mosquito bites this summer:
- Try and avoid areas where mosquitoes are common, like swamps and marshlands.
- Wear loose, long and light coloured clothing, especially around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear mosquito repellent. Use brands that contain either DEET or Picaridin, apply to all uncovered skin and follow the label directions.
- Get rid of mosquitoes around the house by using plugin insecticide mats, flying insect knock-down sprays and fly screens. Remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes could breed.
Find out more
Japanese Encephalitis
NSW Health has advised our community to take steps to protect ourselves and each other from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and other mosquito-borne diseases. JEV spreads to people from infected mosquitoes. In rare cases, it can cause severe illness and long-term health problems. Federation Council has been identified as an area of higher risk for JEV.
The wet weather, together with warmer temperatures, means the risk of mosquito-borne diseases is expected to increase in the weeks and months ahead. It is important to act now to protect ourselves and reduce the risk of mosquitoes and JEV in our community by:
Getting vaccinated now. Federation Council residents who:
- are aged 50 or over and spend at least four hours outdoors per day; or
- are any age and work in or visit an industry with a higher risk of exposure (e.g. piggery, pig abattoir), or work directly or indirectly with mosquitoes are eligible for a free JEV vaccine.
The vaccine is proven safe and effective for anyone over the age of 2 months old. Your GP can provide further information and advice to those who may not be eligible for the free vaccine but still wish to be vaccinated.
Keep your property safe from mosquitoes. Keep doors and windows closed where possible and use insect screens when open. Make sure to clean up any items that might collect water, such as old tyres and empty pots, where mosquitoes can breed.
Prevent mosquito bites. Wear light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear with socks. Apply insect repellent regularly to any areas of exposed skin. Even if you’re vaccinated against JEV, it’s important to protect yourself from other mosquito-borne diseases.
It’s also important for people to remember that humans cannot get infected with JEV by touching an infected animal or by eating animal products.
If we all take these small steps, we can help make sure that all of us and our community stay safe. The latest information can be found at health.nsw.gov.au.