People in the NT are being told to cover up and avoid mosquito bites, as Kunjin Virus and the potentially deadly Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus have been detected in the Top End and Barkly regions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NT Health said in a statement the viruses were detected as part of the regular NT Health Mosquito Disease Surveillance Program, in the lead up to the Dry Season.
Medical Entomologist Bill Pettit said this time of the year until July is the highest risk period for mosquito borne diseases such as MVE and Kunjin Virus.
"The results of recent testing indicate widespread MVE and Kunjin Virus activity throughout the Northern Territory," he said.
"Although mosquito numbers are currently relatively low in Top End urban areas and Central Australia, they can still occur in relatively high numbers in rural areas, especially those close to swamps and wetlands."
Mr Pettit encouraged people living in or visiting the NT to cover up, use insect repellent and avoid outdoor exposure around mosquito prone areas after sundown.
"The MVE and Kunjin Viruses are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, which mainly breeds in vegetated freshwater habitats and is active at night and in the early morning."
The symptoms of MVE include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremor and seizure.
It can develop into serious disease, and in some cases cause delirium, coma, permanent brain damage or death.
Kunjin Virus has similar symptoms but rarely leads to encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain tissue.
This comes after Dengue mosquito was found in Tennant Creek, triggering a "large response" to eliminate any spread of the insects and the diseases they carry.
NT Health are currently working to eliminate the mosquito in the region, and prevent a Dengue Fever outbreak, which they said could take up to two years.
NT Health provided the following tips to minimise the risk of mosquito borne disease:
- Ensure children and infants are adequately protected against mosquito bites
- Avoid outdoor exposure around dusk, and at night, being within 2 km of swamps, creeks, rivers, billabongs and other flooded or low lying areas
- Use mosquito coils, mosquito lanterns, and consider insecticide barrier treatments by licensed pest control companies for use around residential grounds when mosquito numbers are high
- Use mosquito proof accommodation and camping facilities at night
- Wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers, and ankle protection with socks, between dusk and dawn in areas where mosquitoes are likely to be active
- Use a protective repellent containing 20% DEET or picaridin or extract of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) at a concentration of at least 30% as a supplement to protective clothing, with creams providing best protection
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark katherinetimes.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @KatherineTimes
- Follow us on Instagram @katherinetimes
- Follow us on Google News
- You can also receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
