(Original source: The Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au/news/national/mosquito-bite-warning-after-viruses-rise/2008/03/15/1205472157941.html) - Louise Hall Health Reporter - 3/16/08)

Mosquito bite warning after viruses rise.

HEALTH authorities are warning people to protect themselves against mosquito bites following a three-fold increase in mosquito-borne viruses in the first two months of the year.

There were 380 cases of Ross River virus in NSW in January and February, up from 78 for the same period last year. Barmah Forest virus cases almost doubled to 121 over the same period, and more are expected this month as the mozzie season peaks.

Recent rainfall has been blamed for the explosion in mosquito numbers and cases of the viruses, which cause debilitating symptoms such as tiredness, sore and swollen joints, rashes and fever.

NSW Health director of communicable diseases Jeremy McAnulty said people must ensure pools of stagnant water, which are ripe breeding grounds for mosquitoes, are cleaned up around houses and backyards. He urged people with water tanks to cover them with a fine steel mesh to prevent the laying of eggs in the tanks.

The potentially fatal Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) has been detected in mosquitoes and chickens in Griffith, Leeton and the Macquarie Marshes. In rare cases the virus can also be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, causing permanent brain damage and death.

"There have been no human MVE cases to date, however the monitoring program results means there may be the potential for people to become infected if bitten by a mosquito," Mr McAnulty said.

He urged people travelling throughout the state over Easter to take precautions such as wearing insect repellent and loose clothing; and avoiding going outside around dusk and dawn particularly when fishing, camping or bushwalking.

University of Sydney medical entomologist Cameron Webb said in NSW mosquito control had been sporadic.

He said the Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital has developed an awareness program for the Hunter area to alert residents and holiday makers to times when mosquitoes are most active.