Council acting director community Andrew Fletcher said the program usually operated across the summer season, from around November to March, however, did not stop at the start of 2022 due to the presence of the Japanese encephalitis virus.
“While JEV was reported earlier in the year, the trapping program has not detected mosquitoes carrying the virus at the moment,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Generally more prevalent in this region is the Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. Both viruses have also not been detected in trapped mosquitoes at the moment.
“Due to recent ongoing rain and wind, the treatment of breeding sites has been restricted from time to time; however, the trapping continues.”
Mr Fletcher said there were a number of preventative measures community members could adopt to reduce the chance of mosquito-borne diseases.
“Wearing long sleeves, using a repellent that contains DEET (diethyltoluamide) or picaridin, and trying to avoid being out during dusk and dawn,” he said.
“While it may be difficult to reduce any water laying around our houses at the moment, as soon as the water recedes, residents are encouraged to remove any stagnant water that may be sitting in depressions or even in plant pots.
“You should also check your fly screens and use mosquito netting where necessary.”
The monitoring program is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and council.
For more information on mosquito protection, go to www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au and search ‘Beat the Bite’.
Council’s immunisation program is offering the JEV vaccination. Information about eligibility criteria, session times and dates can be accessed via the Campaspe Shire Council website.
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