11 March 2010
More precautions against mosquito born disease will be taken this Friday 12 March. The NT Medical Entomology team will undertake an aerial larval mosquito control operation in Ilparpa swamp on the southern outskirts of Alice Springs to control the common banded mosquito.Peter Whelan, Director of Medical Entomology for the Centre for Disease Control, said that the common banded mosquito can carry Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVE), Kunjin virus (KUN) and Ross River virus (RRV).
"These diseases are very debilitating and can be potentially fatal. The Medical Entomology team is taking every precaution to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes that can carry these diseases. "
"The recent flooding of the Ilparpa swamp is likely to dramatically increase mosquito numbers following the moderate rise in numbers after previous heavy rainfall in January.,
"The Ilparpa swamp has a flooded area of over 130 hectares and is the common banded mosquito's main breeding area in Alice Springs."
"The Medical Entomology team will carry out the aerial control operation using methoprene pellets which will be applied by helicopter. This is a targeted mosquito moulting hormone that prevents the mosquito larvae developing into adults.
"The toxicity to Territorians and other organisms is very, very low."
Analysis from previous years indicates that Alice Springs summer rainfall exceeding 100 mm increases the risk of a RRV outbreak, and summer rainfall exceeding 170mm poses a high risk for MVE virus activity. The last recorded cases of MVE and KUN in Central Australia were in the Alice Springs area in 2001, and one case north of the Alice Springs area in 2004.
"We urge all Central Australians to avoid being bitten and contact their local health care provider if they present with symptoms of mosquito borne disease," Mr Whelan said.
Usual symptoms of MVE disease include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremor and seizures - especially in young children - and in some cases the condition progresses to delirium and coma, leading to paralysis, brain damage or death. Those most at risk of MVE are people with no prior exposure to the virus, including babies, young children, and tourists. People experiencing the early symptoms of MVE should seek urgent medical attention.
Kunjin virus causes a viral illness associated with severe headaches, and only rarely progresses to serious symptoms.
Ross River virus may cause a wide range of symptoms including painful or swollen joints, particularly in the hands, ankles and knees, and sore muscles, aching tendons, skin rash, fatigue, fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms can last from a few weeks or months, with some people experiencing symptoms up to 6 months.
