With Easter being a key camping and outdoor event period, Murrumbidgee Local Health District physician Dr Anton Forsyth said it is vital to take actions to avoid being bitten.
Mosquitoes in NSW can potentially carry a range of diseases for which there are no vaccines including Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.
They can also carry Japanese encephalitis (JE), which was recently detected in Hay and for which a vaccine is available.
“People living or working in areas at high-risk for JE can access a free vaccine to protect against JE virus,” Dr Forsyth said.
“Until June 1, 2026, the vaccine is also free for people travelling to high-risk LGAs for outdoor recreation (such as camping, caravaning, boating, hunting and fishing etc).”
Once fully vaccinated, it can take between 2 to 4 weeks for your body to develop a protective immune response to the disease.
To prevent mosquito bites:
• Apply repellent to exposed skin, and reapply regularly, in accordance with advice on lable. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Wear light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and covered footwear.
• Avoid going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk.
• Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes.
• Cover windows and doors with insect screens, checking there are no gaps
• Remove items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed.
• Use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering, or sleep under a mosquito net.
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