Mosquitoes invade Coast as health authorities brace for Ross River Fever outbreak

A mosquito plague has hit the Gold Coast with recent rain and prolonged high tides to blame. With controlled sprays by Gold Coast City Council delayed, there are real concerns for a Ross River Fever outbreak.

AN increase in the number of mosquitoes plaguing the Gold Coast has sparked fears of a Ross River Fever outbreak.

A City Spokesman from the Gold Coast City Council Pest Management Team said the Coast had experienced “unusually high” mosquito activity in recent weeks due to recent prolonged high tides and wet weather particularly in areas close to creeks and rivers.

Helensvale local Penny Javelin, 76 said mosquitoes were now in “plague proportions” and was recently diagnosed with the Ross River virus in February after experiencing “very painful muscle aches”.

MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASES SOAR IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE TOWNSVILLE FLOODS

Feeling itchy? Unusually high mosquito activity has been noted by Council Pest Management. Photo: Marc McCormack

“I was not able to lift my arms to dress myself, do housework or anything and sleeping for hours during the day,” she said.

“I lost my appetite with a large weight loss.

“My doctor said there is no cure only pain relief.”

Mrs Javelin’s home backs onto the Helensvale Golf Course and said there were often large bodies of stagnant water in the area.

“It used to be very calming to sit outside, particularly at the end of the day, to see the sunset,” she said.

COUNCIL CAN’T SAY WHEN MOZZIE SPRAY WILL HAPPEN

“Except this is no longer possible as masses of mosquitoes attack immediately.

“The mossies are now in plague proportions despite supposed spraying last Monday.”

She said Council officers identified breeds in the area as saltmarsh type mosquitoes which carry the virus.

“Surely they have a duty of care to residents to protect our health,” she said.

A City Spokesman said while there had been some “weather related delays”, the control program was still addressing the worst affected areas successfully.

“The current wet weather is also increasing the availability of breeding sites for freshwater species which adds to the problem,” he said.

Prevention is a must for locals including using repellent and removing stagnant water from around the home.

Dr Andre Wattiaux, a public health physician at Gold Coast Health said there have been five reported cases of Ross River virus a month this year.

Although numbers for the virus were low, with recent rain and larger mosquito populations, Dr Wattiaux said he could not rule out a future increase in cases.

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“With mosquito borne illnesses, it is important to practise prevention and personal protection including having screens on windows, using coils and plug in devices, repellent, and removing resting water were larva will breed,” he said.

Council will continue mosquito spraying Coast-wide this week and next. For the full schedule visit http://news.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/alerts.