WITH warm weather upon us, residents across the Mallee are being reminded to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases this season.
Due to last season’s heavy rains and flooding, conditions in northern Victoria have created the ideal environment for harbouring disease.
Surveillance work at La Trobe University showed the risk of illness could be higher than normal this mosquito season.
Mosquito-borne diseases cannot spread from person to person and in most cases, symptoms will be mild.
However, transmission can lead to health complications for some people.
Ross River virus is most common in the Loddon and Mallee regions, but other potentially serious infections have been reported in Victoria.
These include Murray Valley encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis.
Bendigo Health Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit medical director Dr Naveen Tenneti said it was critical to protect those at risk in the community.
“For some people, infection with these viruses (Murray Valley encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis) can cause severe disease and so it is critical we take action to reduce risk,” he said.
People who live in the high-risk Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke and Loddon shires are eligible for a JE vaccination.
Minimising exposure to mosquitoes and ensuring properties aren’t helping their population were also ways to reduce risk.
Wearing loose-fitting, long clothing will help stop bites, as will applying mosquito repellents.
Stagnant water around a home or a campsite should be removed, to stop breeding.
