Latest news with #PeterBlackaby
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie grey nomads, campers warned as deadly threat prompts new campaign
Australians are being urged to take mosquito-borne diseases seriously, as a new government initiative rolls out free repellent dispensers across high-risk regions. The pilot program, launched in memory of Peter Blackaby — who tragically died from Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) in 2023 — is part of Western Australia Health's intensified Fight the Bite campaign. Peter's wife, Sonia, is now warning others not to take mosquito bites lightly. "Not enough people are aware of the severity of the viruses that mozzies carry," Sonia told Yahoo News. "Most people have never even heard of MVE. We hadn't. Awareness is the only way to start imprinting the message with people: Prevent bites. It's the only way to protect yourself." The couple had made regular caravanning trips through the Kimberley, Pilbara, and Gascoyne areas, now included in the free repellent dispenser trial. "We had made many trips to Broome, the Dampier Peninsula, Kununurra and the Gibb River Road," Sonia said. "It was one of our favourite destinations." During their final three-week trip together, there were no warning signs. "Pete never said mosquitoes really bothered him. There wasn't a particular bite on him that we were aware of," she said. "I always get smashed by mosquitoes, though." Tragically, Peter contracted MVE — a rare but potentially fatal virus carried by mosquitoes — and lost his life not long after. Since 2023, there have been 12 recorded cases of MVE in WA, resulting in five deaths. The new initiative will see free mosquito repellent dispensers made available to eligible community organisations in high-risk areas, such as caravan parks, sporting clubs, outdoor cinemas and alfresco venues. It is timed to coincide with the annual "grey nomad" season, when thousands of older travellers head north during the winter months — a group considered particularly vulnerable to mosquito-borne illness. A State-wide rollout is planned for 2026, following the initial trial across the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne. WA Health continues to detect MVE activity through its mosquito and sentinel chicken surveillance programs. Although winter is usually a lower-risk period, 2025 has been an unusual year, prompting authorities to reinforce prevention messages. A WA Health spokesperson told Yahoo that the northern dry season, which generally represents a lower risk period for mosquito-borne viruses, has been an unusual year in 2025. "Whilst rare, infection can cause a very serious, potentially fatal, disease. Individuals who survive are often left with severe neurological deficits or disability," they said. "Residents and travellers heading north need to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, avoid areas where mosquitoes are in high numbers and apply an effective insect repellent to all areas of exposed skin. 🦠 Family's Bali nightmare amid disease outbreak in tourist hotspots ‼️ Scientists use toxins to kill off world's most dangerous creature 🦟 Could this tiny gadget reduce itch caused by mosquito bites? "WA Health is also encouraging local governments and larger businesses/corporate organisations to make insect repellent readily accessible to the public and employees in high-risk locations, to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease. A limited number of repellent dispensers are available, free of charge, to eligible community groups/organisations in Kimberley, Pilbara, and Gascoyne to participate in this important Fight the Bite initiative. Sonia, meanwhile, hopes sharing her family's story can help save others. "Prevent bites — it's the only way," she said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
10-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Widow of man killed by Murray Valley encephalitis warns of mosquito bite danger
When Sonia Blackaby set out caravanning with her husband across Western Australia's far north, she never thought a mosquito bite would make it their last trip together. Travelling from Tom Price, 1,450 kilometres north-east of Perth, to the Kimberley two years ago, her husband, Peter, contracted a rare mosquito-borne illness. "We returned home and, within a week of that, he started showing symptoms, which I thought at the beginning was a stroke," she said. Peter Blackaby had contracted Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease that can cause brain inflammation, coma and death. There is no treatment or vaccine for it. Mr Blackaby was flown to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment, but his condition worsened in the following hours. "He went from showing signs [of life] to being in a coma, non-verbal, unresponsive, quadriplegic, and basically in a vegetative state," Ms Blackaby said. Ms Blackaby's story struck a chord with the West Australian government, which is now offering free insect repellent kits to community groups in areas deemed at high risk of a mosquito-borne illness. "So sporting clubs, caravan parks, other places in the community will always have insect repellent available," WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat said. "There were 12 cases of Murray Valley encephalitis reported since 2023, and five of those have resulted in deaths. "It is serious." Part of the reason Ms Blackaby is speaking out now is that she does not think the existing messaging about mosquito-borne illnesses is cutting through. For years, the government has backed a campaign called "Fight the Bite". But Ms Blackaby said most people she talked to had not heard of MVE. "I still travel with my caravan and I make it my public duty to talk to people and ask if they've heard of MVE," she said. "If I can stop one family from going through what my family went through, it's worth it." The initiative comes as Kimberley residents report increased mosquito activity following recent unseasonal rains. Mosquito traps detected MVE in the West Kimberley earlier this month. Broome resident Robyn Maher said the mosquitoes were "out in force". "On this morning's walk through Minyirr I had a black T-shirt on, and my husband said, 'Your whole back is covered in mosquitoes,'" she said. Ms Maher said free mosquito repellent was a "really good idea". "It's ridiculously expensive. Not everyone can afford food, let alone a can of Aerogard, so that's a really good initiative," she said. Ms Blackaby said everyone living in high-risk mosquito regions like the Pilbara and Kimberley should be applying insect repellent as part of their daily routine. "It just has to become ingrained a bit like 'slip, slop, slap' with sunscreen," she said. "It needs to become something that we're just aware of on the regular, not just a news article that pops up every now and again." The government said it was planning a statewide rollout of the initiative next year.
