David Basso, environmental health officer, checks a mosquito trap.
Mozzies: Among the world’s most dangerous creatures
Aug 20, 2024It’s World Mosquito Day!
We are lucky that mosquitoes are mostly an annoyance in Australia and on the Mid North Coast, but globally they are deadly creatures.
The pathogens they transmit kill many people every year and millions fall ill from their bites. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, 249 million malaria cases occurred in 2022, leading to 608,000 malaria deaths in a single year.
Since English scientist Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 of female mosquitoes transmitting malaria parasites, authorities have targeted mosquitoes to prevent disease. The discovery on 20 August is now World Mosquito Day.
Australia is free of major outbreaks of Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, and Malaria but there are still mosquito-borne diseases that can make us sick. Mosquito-borne diseases like Ross River Virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis, Japanese Encephalitis, and Barmah Forest Virus are found in NSW.
Barmah Forest Virus and Ross River Virus are routinely found in mosquito specimens trapped on the Mid North Coast. Most people infected with these viruses will recover after a few weeks. Others may have symptoms such as joint pain and tiredness for many months.
Environmental Health Officers from the North Coast Public Health Unit coordinate the trapping of mosquitoes in the MNCLHD footprint as part of the NSW Arbovirus and Mosquito Monitoring Program. Trapping is undertaken during the peak mosquito season, from December to April, but depends on seasonal conditions. Our colleagues working in local councils and private trappers play a vital role in the program.
Mosquito specimens are sent each week to the NSW Health Pathology, Medical Entomology team, where they are counted, identified, and checked for viruses.
Last season across twelve sites in MNCLHD there were over 25,000 specimens trapped. Scientists at NSW Health Pathology assist local authorities by undertaking mosquito control and surveillance programs.
As the warmer weather approaches, keep safe from mosquito bites by screening doors, windows, and rainwater tank openings, emptying water-holding containers in your yard and applying insect repellent outdoors. More tips on avoiding mosquito bites can be found here Mosquito-borne diseases (nsw.gov.au)