Aussie state issues an urgent warning over potentially deadly viruses surging this summer
- Mosquitoes infest NSW and Queensland
- Queenslanders warned over viruses
- READ MORE: Urgent warning over flesh-eating disease
Mosquitoes are swarming across two states prompting warnings about the potentially deadly diseases they carry.
Queenslanders are being urged to protect themselves against mosquito bites that potentially carry Ross River virus and Japanese encephalitis, as a wave of the pesky insects moves north from NSW.
Warm and wet weather have made it an ideal breeding season for the summer nuisance with health authorities saying repellants and covering up, are the best ways to avoid bites.
'Mosquito numbers always increase significantly in wet and warm weather, and Queenslanders need to be extra vigilant against bites starting now,' Queensland chief health officer Heidi Carroll told the Courier Mail on Tuesday.
'With increased mosquito numbers comes increased risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Ross River virus and Japanese encephalitis.'
Ross River virus is Queensland's most common mosquito-borne disease.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, rash, muscle and joint pain and fatigue.
Most people with Ross River virus disease recover completely within three to six months but there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
Health authorities in Queensland are warning about the higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases in summer
Japanese encephalitis can be fatal and severe infections can also result in permanent brain damage.
However, these cases are very rare with only one per cent of patients exhibiting more than mild symptoms.
While there have been no human Japanese encephalitis (JEV) cases in Queensland since May 2022, Dr Carroll said certain areas of the state should be extra vigilant.
'Residents in the Far North, Darling Downs, South West and Wide Bay regions particularly need to be vigilant as this is where JEV has previously been detected in Queensland in recent years,' Dr Carroll said.
To avoid mosquito bites, people are advised to apply repellents, use insecticide sprays and coils, avoid going outside during peak mosquito times of dawn and dusk, wear loose-fitting long clothes and covered footwear.
Repellents should be reapplied regularly, particularly after swimming.
Warm and wet weather has meant ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes as they swarm over two states
JEV can also be carried and transmitted by pigs with NSW authorities last week identifying 55 inland local government areas at higher risk after the virus was found in routine surveillance in Griffith and in feral pigs in Narromine Shire.
Dr Carroll said NSW and Queensland border areas were at particular risk.
Free JEV vaccinations are available from the Queensland government for people who work with pigs or live or work in Indigenous communities.
NSW residents can also get free vaccinations if they live or work in one of the 55 identified risk areas and regularly spend time outdoors, are homeless, living in a tent or caravan, or are a paid or volunteer flood rescue worker.
