The City of Busselton confirmed Ross River Virus in adult mosquitoes has recently been detected in the South West and Busselton region.
The detections were picked-up in routine sampling of mosquitos collected from Siesta Park. However, the risk extends across the municipality particularly in areas close to wetlands.
Detections this early in the year are quite unusual.
Officials at the Department of Health have indicated that the early activity is likely to be the result of recent high tides and rainfall, coupled with above average temperatures, favouring mosquito breeding.
City of Busselton environmental health coordinator Jane Cook said mosquito and mosquitoborne virus activity was not usually detected this early in spring.
"We want local people and visitors to the region to be aware that the risk of Ross River Virus is already present and to take extra precautions when outdoors," she said.
The City of Busselton mosquito management program is in full swing with Environmental Health Officers from the city regularly monitoring numbers of adult mosquitos and larvae in wetland areas.
"Once numbers reach significant levels a helicopter will be used to treat wetland areas," Ms Cook said.
"The aim is to reduce the number of mosquitoes present in the environment by targeting the larvae before they emerge into adults.
"The first aerial helicopter treatment took place in August 2020 with more treatments planned for the season.
"However, people must not assume that because a mosquito management program is in place, there will be no mosquitoes this spring and summer.
"We urge everyone to 'Fight the Bite' and take precautions to prevent being bitten."
Some of the ways to minimise the risk of mosquito bite include: avoiding outdoor exposure particularly at dawn and dusk and wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing when outdoors.
People are also encouraged to apply personal repellent to exposed areas of the skin. Effective personal repellents contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin.
For more information on mosquito management and tips on how to prevent mosquito bites both at home and travelling visit busselton.wa.gov.au/Environment-Waste/Environmental-Health/Mosquito-Control or healthywa.wa.gov.au/fightthebite
Photo: Jane Cook from the City of Busselton undertaking Mosquito monitoring duties in wetland areas
near Ford Road.
