Reported cases of mosquito-borne diseases have increased, sparking a health risk warning from the North Coast Public Health Unit.
The Unit urges residents and visitors to the Mid-North Coast to protect themselves against mosquito bites after an expected seasonal increase in the risk of contracting mosquito-borne disease over the coming weeks and also over the Easter
holiday period. Acting Senior Environmental Health Officer David Basso said, “Both Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus are common on the coast and the diseases caused by these viruses can result in painful or swollen joints, sore muscles, skin rashes, fever, fatigue, and headaches.” With April and May being the peak season for mosquito-borne illness, the Public Health Unit expects to receive more reports of cases of illness over the coming weeks.
“We have had 93 Barmah Forest Virus notifications so far this year, which is 75 per cent above the five-year average for the same time period. Ross River Virus notifications are currently at 29, which is 59 per cent lower than the number of cases we would have expected by this stage of the season when compared to the average over the last five years,” Mr Basso advised.
