The Department of Health is warning Peel and Murray residents and travellers to take precautions against biting insects, especially mosquitoes, following the widespread rainfall and flooding events throughout the state.
Environmental Health Hazards managing scientist Michael Lindsay said the wet weather and flooding had created ideal conditions for breeding of mosquitoes and other biting insects.
“While local government mosquito management programs are in place around WA, it is not realistic or logically feasible to keep mosquitoes and biting flies below nuisance levels when such vast areas of the State are affected with the recent weather conditions,” Dr Lindsay said.
“Increased mosquito activity is liekly to result uin an increased risk of the mosquito-borne disease Ross River virus, (RRV), Barmah Forest Virus (BFV), Murray River encephalitis virus (MVEV) and Kunjin virus (KUNV) in some parts of WA.”
Symptoms of infection with RRV and BFV include painful or swollen joints, sore muscles, skin rashes, fever, fatigue and headaches.
The warning comes as KUNV was recently detected in a sentinel chicken flock in the Pilbara. KUNV belongs to the same group of viruses as MVEV, both of which can only be transmitted by mosquitos.
Dr Lindsay said for most people, disease caused by MVEV and KUNV had fairly mild symptoms such as headache, fever, aching, swollen joints and rash.
However, in rare cases these viruses, especially MVEV, can lead to a serious inflammation of the brain and result in long term disability or even death.
“There are no specific cures or vaccines for mosquito-borne diseases in Western Australia, so it is very important that people take care to prevent from being bitten,” he said.
An increase in the number of March flies has also been reported in the Pilbara region. At least one species of March fly, known to occur in parts of the Pilbara and northern Goldfields, has a bite that can cause allergic reactions in some people.
“Although March flies are not known to transmit diseases to humans in Australia, the bites of some species can cause allergic reactions, including skin redness and swelling,” Dr Lindsay said.
For more information on how to prevent mosquito bites, visit healthywa.wa.gov.au/fightthebite
