After several months of flooding across our region, mosquito numbers are abundant. NSW Health urges people to be vigilant regarding mosquitos and mosquito borne viruses.
The free Japanese encephalitis vaccine is now recommended for people aged two months or older who live or routinely work in 39 Local Government Areas with identified JE risk in the west of NSW who:
• Spend significant time outdoors (four hours per day), for unavoidable work, recreation, education, or other essential activities, OR
• Are living in temporary or flood damaged accommodation (e.g. camps, tents, dwellings exposed to the external environment) that place them at increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes, OR
• Are engaged in the prolonged outdoor recovery efforts (clean up) of stagnant waters following floods
NSW Health and the NSW Department of Primary Industries are working closely together, with the support of local councils, to ensure a comprehensive response to JE, including vaccination, and mosquito surveillance and control. NSW Health is supporting local councils to undertake mosquito control and other surveillance activities.
Repellent is an effective way to keep mozzies at bay, but some work better than others.
• Topical mozzie repellents are registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and provide protection for up to 12 hours. Always check and follow instructions on the label.
• Plant-based repellents provide limited protection. Studies show that repellents like botanical products only keep mozzies away for 30 minutes or less.
Know your repellent so that you can better protect yourself from pesky mozzie bites and the serious viruses they can carry. Learn more: health.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes