The City of Kwinana is urging residents to be vigilant in preparation for a severe mosquito season due to lengthened wet weather and increased temperatures.
The City has been monitoring water bodies throughout the City for signs of increased mosquito breeding and reports so far have suggested this season will be especially bad.
City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said while the City is very proactive in monitoring and mitigating the breeding of mosquitos, it is up to individuals to protect themselves and their families from being bitten.
“The City has a robust monitoring program with a large number of mosquito traps throughout the Kwinana area. These traps provide us with information about mosquito borne disease prevalence.”
“We also conduct regular larval sampling to check for breeding activity and where we see an increase we treat with targeted larvicide”, Mayor Adams said.
“Despite this, the City is unable to treat all breeding areas, as these include any water holding areas from private bird baths and roof gutters, through to large wetland areas”.
“The City actively works with State Government agencies and landowners of larger waterbodies to manage mosquito breeding; however it is crucial that residents also take measures around their own homes to protect themselves from being bitten”, Mayor Adams said.
PIC: Environment and Health Officers conduct mosquito monitoring (supplied).
In Western Australia, mosquitoes can transmit Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, Kunjin virus and the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis virus. There is currently no cure and no vaccine for any mosquito-borne disease acquired in WA. The only way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
The City has installed signs at more than 25 parks and reserves to remind everybody to take preventative safety measures and avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Residents are reminded to cover up, use repellent when outdoors and mosquitoes are present and make simple changes around the home to prevent water bodies accumulating.
Checking that windows have flyscreen’s and that they are in good condition, replacing birdbath water every three or four days and making sure gutters are not blocked will help to stop the ability of mosquitoes to enter the home and will limit breeding activity.
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