Cover up. Repel. Clean up.

Help protect yourself and others this mosquito season

Whether we’re in the backyard or away camping, mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance. Some can spread diseases that make us unwell.

In Western Australia, mosquitoes can transmit Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Kunjin virus, as well as the potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis viruses (JEV).

September to March is peak mosquito season in our region, so now’s the time to take a few simple steps to protect yourself and your family.

Cover up. Repel. Clean up.
•    Cover up: Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing to cover as much skin as possible.
•    Repel: Use insect repellent containing DEET. Always follow the instructions on the label.
•    Clean up: Remove, empty or cover things that collect water around home or where you’re staying. This helps stop mosquitoes breeding.

What we’re doing
Our Public Health team is continuing mosquito monitoring and prevention work at caravan parks in high-risk areas.

Last season, we checked for mosquito breeding sites, shared prevention advice and provided Department of Health repellent stations at selected caravan parks.

We also used traps to collect mosquitoes for testing. No viruses were detected in the samples tested, but that doesn’t mean there’s no risk of mosquito-borne disease.

At one caravan park, we found large numbers of mosquito larvae (young mosquitoes living in water) and treated the breeding site to help control them.

This season, we’ll keep monitoring the same locations so we can compare results over time. We’ll also keep sharing practical advice to help people avoid bites.

Feeling unwell?
If you think you may have a mosquito-borne illness, see your GP. They can assess your symptoms and arrange a blood test if needed.

For more advice, visit healthywa.gov.au/FighttheBite