Aedes vigilax mosquito

                                             Aedes vigilax mosquito in Australia   

Authorities in Queensland are conducting chemical spraying as mosquito populations boom.

Mosquito populations have exploded in Cairns as pools of water are providing ample opportunity for the blood-sucking insects to breed.

And there is some concern the numbers could lead to an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses.

"All of North Queensland has Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which are the main vectors of dengue however the ongoing success of the Wolbachia program in the Cairns region means the risk of local transmission of dengue virus has become extremely low.

"The increased number of mosquitoes currently causing bother around the Cairns region are predominantly the Aedes vigilax species.

"These mosquitoes are often observed in great proportions in the couple of weeks following high tide events or heavy rains.

"These mosquitoes are important vectors for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, but do not transmit dengue."

Dengue was eradicated from the town in 2018.

Queensland Health warned Japanese encephalitis (JEV), another mosquito-borne illness, could potentially reach Far North Queensland.

"The far north of Australia's Cape York Peninsula is considered an area at risk and seasonal incursions of Japanese encephalitis are occasionally detected in people in the Torres Strait," 

A Queensland Health spokesperson said this is unlikely though as the disease is most commonly associated with piggeries further south.

"Most mosquitoes only travel up to three kilometres," they said, adding past instances of the disease occurred after a mosquito bit a bird and then bit a human, which is rare.

JEV cases have already been confirmed in Queensland, South Australia, NSW and Victoria.

The virus typically affects pigs and horses bitten by mosquitoes carrying the infection, but was detected in animals and humans in Australia for the first time in February.

There is no specific treatment for JEV and it can cause severe neurological illness.

Ways to reduce mozzie numbers

Cairns Regional Council has confirmed it is spraying pesticide, also known as fogging, in an effort to reduce mosquito numbers.

"Mosquito spraying is conducted throughout the year on Council land where there is significant mosquito harbourage," they wrote in a statement.

"The program follows industry best practice and uses products designed to kill mosquito larvae without harming people, pets and the general environment."

Residents are encouraged to take measures to avoid mosquito bites including, wearing light coloured, long sleeved clothing to minimise skin exposure to day-biting mosquitoes and using an appropriate mosquito repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin when outdoors.

The Council has also issued advice to residents about how they can reduce the threat of being bitten around the home.

These tips include:

·        Empty standing water out of old tyres, buckets, plastic covers, toys, pet drinking bowls, bird baths, pot plant trays or any other container where "wrigglers" and "tumblers" live in the house or garden

·        Drill holes in tyres used for swings and garden surrounds to allow water to drain from them

·        Drain or fill temporary pools and tree hollows with dirt or sand

·        Keep rain gutters unclogged