’Never been so bad’: Concern raised about mozzie plague

Authorities have moved to address dengue fever concern amid council chemical spraying to control a mosquito plague not seen in a lifetime according to some long term Cairns locals.

AUTHORITIES have moved to address dengue fever concern amid a Cairns mosquito plague not seen in a lifetime according to some residents.

Following significant rain last week a heavy mist of mosquito activity has been reported from Gordonvale to Redlynch.

The outbreak has Parramatta Park resident Shizuka Ward going to extreme lengths to keep mozzies away while visiting Goomboora Park this week.

“I was carrying a mozzie coil so I didn’t get any bites,” she said.

Swarms of mosquitoes have been breeding near Cairns creeks and rivers this week, attacking anyone not wearing long clothing or repellent. Shizuka and James Ward of Parramatta Park protect themselves from mosquito bites by spraying mozzie repellent before going for a walk along Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park, Brinsmead. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I have lived in Cairns 25-years and it has never been so bad as the last week, it has been terrible.”

Debate has raged about a surging mosquito population in the Redlynch Valley and the value of chemical spraying, known as fogging.

While some have advocated for chemical control and logged requests with Cairns Regional Council to spray, others were concerned about the impact to frog life and birds that feed on mosquitoes.

A council spokesman said Vector Control Units are deployed to reduce mosquito numbers through proactive chemical spraying in known breeding areas.

The aedes-aegypti mosquito which causes dengue fever.

“Council does not fog private property but may treat breeding sites on private property with larvicides for a temporary fix until landowners can sort out the problem,” he said.

“Mosquito spraying is conducted throughout the year on council land where there is significant mosquito harbourage.”

Despite concern of a dengue fever return after being eradiated in 2019 a Cairns Hospital spokeswoman said there had been no cases reported.

“All of North Queensland has aedes aegypti mosquitoes which are the main vectors of dengue, but in most areas the mosquitoes have been infected with wolbachia which means they are not efficient at transmitting dengue,” she said.

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Originally published as ’Never been so bad’: Concern raised about mozzie plague