THERE was no immediate threat of northern Victoria flood waters causing an outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River Virus, the Health and community Services Department has advised.
H&CS public health director, Dr Chris Brook, said conditions in the flood area were currently not conductive to mosquito breeding.
“There are mosquitos in the area, but they are not the species that carry diseases,” Dr Brook said.
“At present the water temperature is too cold for the mosquito species that carries Ross River Virus to breed.”
Ross River Virus can cause severe aches and pains for up to a month, a rash, lethargy and headaches. Joint paints sometimes fade and return weeks later, persisting for more than a year or more.
Dr Brook said the department’s Victorian Arbovirus Taskforce – which advises on the control of mosquito-borne diseases – would continue to monitor the situation in the flood areas.
“However, in view of the flood situation, the mosquito monitoring program will begin this month – two weeks earlier than usual. Additional funding will be provided by the public health branch,” Dr Brook said.
Arbovirus Taskforce chairman, Dr Noel Bennett, said the taskforce had consulted with Local Government environmental health officers regarding mosquito breeding and water levels.
“As the weather gets warmer, the Arbovirus Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation, as we do every year, to unsure that the proper mosquito control programs are in place,” Dr Bennett said.
Dr bennet said people in mosquito-prone areas should eliminate breeding sites close to home, such as pools of water, fit insect screens to doors and windows, cover exposed parts of their body and use insect repellent.
Farmers can help eliminate breeding sites by providing proper drainage on their property and using irrigation water efficiently.
Anyone with inquiries can contact H&CS’s Communicable Diseases Unit on (03) 616 7164.
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