MOZZIES ABOUT: Forbes Shire Council is asking residents to take care after Ross River Virus was discovered in their flock of sentinel chickens. There is no cure for Ross River Virus and people are asked to remain alert and take precautions.
Residents are being asked to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes in these incredibly wet times the region is experiencing.
“Our team has been spraying our public spaces, including sporting fields, ovals and the lake foreshore, with a targeted insecticide to try and keep numbers at bay,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller.
“Our flock of sentinel chickens and mosquito traps have detected Ross River Virus (RRV) and we would like to alert the community to do what they can to protect themselves when outside over the coming months,” said Miller.
“The only way to prevent being infected with a disease such as Ross River is to avoid being bitten in the first place. There is no vaccine or special treatment to prevent catching the disease and it affects people in different ways.”
Symptoms can last for weeks to months, and include painful or swollen joints, sore muscles, skin rashes, fever, fatigue and headaches.
“If you are concerned about some of these symptoms we encourage you to visit a local GP and they will conduct a blood test to advise you if you have contracted RRV,” said Mayor Miller.
Prevent mosquito bites with the following precautions:
• Reduce activity outdoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are more likely to bite;
• Cover up with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing when outdoors;
• Repel by applying an effective personal repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin evenly to all areas of exposed skin and always follow the label Instructions;
• Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coi (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area;
• Screen all household doors and windows;
• Remove potential breeding grounds around your home. These include any water-holding containers including blocked gutters and rainwater tank overflow pipes, and washout birdbaths and ornamental pools weekly.
For further information go to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/resources.aspx