Thousands warned as Aussies battle 'horrendous' issue: 'Debilitating'
Thousands of residents have been warned to cover up as one Aussie city continues to battle a 'super-charged mosquito breeding season'.
Hot weather and regular tidal flooding of wetland areas has created the perfect conditions for the insects to multiply in Mandurah, south of Perth, over recent weeks, with locals saying the issue has become 'horrendous'.
Shocking footage published online this week by the city shows authorities walking through wetlands while repeatedly scooping water into a large white bowl — gathering what appears to be hundreds of mosquito larvae at a time.
'You can't go outside they are that bad,' one resident claimed.
'It's all day and night, never had them so bad as the last week. Nothing is working to stop them biting,' another commented, while someone else said she had been 'swarmed' by mosquitos after getting out of her car.
The City of Mandurah announced on Tuesday it would be conducting its 13th mosquito treatment of the season. Over two days the Peel Mosquito Management Group (PMMG) used aerial larvicide to target the insects in the water before they emerge as adults.
'This follows on from last week's treatment, which covered more than 600 hectares throughout the Peel region,' city staff said online.
Mandurah is home to the Peel-Harvey Estuary, which features abundant wildlife and migratory waterbirds, however the saline waters also provide the perfect breeding conditions for salt marsh mosquitoes.
Because of this, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are the two most common mosquito-borne diseases in the region. During the 2023-24 season, there were 23 cases of Ross River and five Barmah Forest infections recorded in Mandurah, according to the PMMG.
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Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, University of Sydney associate professor Cameron Webb, explained the illness caused by the Ross River virus 'can be potentially serious and debilitating but it is not fatal'.
'Many people suffer mild illness but others can experience fever, rash, joint pain, and fatigue. In some cases, the disease can impact them for many weeks or months.
'There are more than 5,000 cases of disease reported every year from across Australia but there are likely many more people who suffer mild illness and never make the official statistics.'
While Australia is generally free from globally important mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, there are some rare but very serious pathogens spread by the insect in some parts of the country. They include the potentially deadly Japanese encephalitis virus and Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Professor Webb, who also works as a scientist for NSW Health Pathology, said.
Mosquito numbers can 'change a lot during the summer, and from year to year', thanks to temperature, rainfall, humidity, and tidal activity, he added.
'There are dozens and different types of mosquitoes that cause problems in Australia. These problems often result from different environmental and climatic conditions around the country. The same type of mosquito that causes a problem in Mandurah may be present in coastal Victoria but not cause a problem there.'
Aussies — and especially those living in Mandurah — have been urged to keep themselves safe by covering up with light coloured and loose-fitting clothing, as well as shoes.
'Apply insect repellent to all exposed areas of skin. Formulations you can find in your local supermarket or pharmacy are safe to use, effective at preventing bites and affordable. The best products contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus,' Webb told Yahoo.
People should also reduce mosquito breeding in their own backyards by covering up or discarding anything that can trap rainfall.
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