Infectious diseasesepidemiology and surveillance

Page contents: Is this going to be a normal year for mosquitoes in Victoria? | How can I help protect my family and myself from mosquito bites? | How can I limit mosquitoes in and around my home? | How can I protect babies and young children from mosquito bites? | How do I know which repellent works best? | What repellents are safe to use on babies and children? | How do I treat a mosquito bite? | What is the Department of Health doing to improve mosquito control in Victoria? | What is my local council doing? | About mosquito-borne diseases | Download documents

Is this going to be a normal year for mosquitoes in Victoria?

Recent heavy rainfall across the state has led to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Current and predicted weather conditions, particularly in the northern part of the state, suggest that the high numbers of mosquitoes currently being seen will continue well into the summer months.

How can I help protect my family and myself from mosquito bites?

There are some simple things you can do to avoid mosquito bites and reduce your risk of catching mosquito-borne diseases.

• Wear long, loose fitting clothes if mosquitoes are around, preferably in light colours.
• Use effective mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin.
• Try to limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about. Dusk and dawn is when most mosquitoes are more active but some will also bite during the day
• Use ‘knockdown’ sprays and plug-in vaporising devices indoors.
• Sleep under mosquito nets treated with repellents or insecticides if you don’t have flywire screens on windows.
• Mosquito coils or citronella candles can be effective in small outdoor protected areas.

How can I limit mosquitoes in and around my home?

You can reduce the risk of mosquito bites if you get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites around your home:

• Install flywire screens on all windows and self-closing wire screens on doors. Check them regularly and mend any holes.
• Prevent pools of water from forming – get rid of unused tins, tyres and similar rubbish, clean gutters and drains regularly and mend leaking taps.
• Change pets’ drinking water and the water in vases, pot plants and bird baths at least once a week.
• Put sand around the base of pot plants to absorb excess water in the dish.
• Flush unused toilets once a week.
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated or salted and empty them completely when not in use for long periods.
• Empty children’s wading pools if not being used regularly.
• Keep fishponds stocked with fish.

If you have a rainwater tank or alternative water storage devices:

• Make sure that any tops, lids, covers and inlet pipes are close fitting.
• Fit a removable screen mesh to the outlet end of overflow pipes and to all water inlets.
• Make sure any water collection containers have secure lids or screens.

How can I protect babies and young children from mosquito bites?

Mosquito bites seem to be very common among young children. As they are too young to be aware of this problem, it is most important to take precautions.

If a child is playing outside and mosquitoes are about, always put some kind of protective cream or spray on their exposed skin or clothes to prevent them from being bitten.

Leave a long loose shirt or top on them and long pants where possible. Insect nets over prams will help keep mossies away from babies.

How do I know which repellent works best?

Creams and gels based on N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET, or diethyltoluamide) or picaridin are currently regarded as providing the most effective form of protection. Most products provide protection for between one and three hours in typical situations. If you swim or sweat profusely, protection will be less and you may need to reapply.

What repellents are safe to use on babies and children?

In young children, insect repellents are safest if rubbed or sprayed on clothing rather than skin. Don't spray on the skin of children under the age of one. Choose repellents that contain no more than 10 percent DEET, Repellents should not be used on infants less than 2 months old. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice and always follow the product instructions.

• Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne - Insect bites and stings
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Insect Repellent Use and Safety

How do I treat a mosquito bite?

• Wash the skin where it was bitten
• Use a product like Calamine lotion to help stop itching
• Use ice packs or cool face washers to help with pain and swelling.

What is the Department of Health doing to improve mosquito control in Victoria?

The Victorian government works with other agencies including some local governments to deliver integrated mosquito management programs. This includes surveillance for viral activity in mosquitoes and animals and for infections in humans, control of vector mosquito populations in selected council areas and education of the community.

What is my local council doing?

Your local Councils are responsible for mosquito management on council land and can direct private landowners, under the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009, to take action to treat mosquito breeding sites.

Some local councils are also involved in mosquito management programs to help reduce mosquito numbers.

On public land, councils seek to work with State agencies to take appropriate remedial action on land these agencies manage.

About mosquito-borne diseases

What kinds of diseases can be carried by mosquitoes?

It’s important to note that not all mosquitoes found in Victoria carry mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus or occasionally Murray Valley encephalitis virus. A lot of mosquitoes are just a nuisance.

Mosquito-borne diseases are typically found around inland waterways and coastal regions. There are some simple things you can do to avoid mosquito bites and reduce your risk of catching mosquito-borne diseases.

How do I know if I have been affected with a mosquito-borne disease?

The two main mosquito-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes in Victoria or Barmah Forest virus and Ross River Virus and both are typically characterised by joint swelling and pain, fatigue and muscle aches. Many infected people also develop a rash. Recovery usually occurs within several weeks but lethargy, arthralgia and myalgia can persist for over six months. A blood test is required to establish whether you have an infection or not.

Murray Valley encephalitis is rare with the last human case reported in Victoria in 1974. Symptoms can include: fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. In a small percentage of all people infected, disease may affect the central nervous system. This can result in meningitis or encephalitis of variable severity. Signs of brain dysfunction such as drowsiness, confusion, fitting, weakness or ataxia indicate the onset of encephalitis.

Where can I get help or more information?

• If you have any concerns about your health, see your doctor.
• Department of Health, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit Tel. 1300 651 160
• Your local council
• Better Health Channel

Download documents

 Preparing for the mosquito season - Frequently asked questions