Northern Beaches council has once again kicked off the NSW Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Monitoring Program following another fluctuation of climatic and environmental conditions.
According to council, the program, which is facilitated by NSW health, is aimed to track pesky insects and their activity across the Northern Beaches and NSW, which has been highly attributed to the exceptionally wet conditions over this rainfall period.
CEO Ray Brownlee said the annual campaign includes a local public education program to raise awareness of the risk mosquitoes pose and provides personal protection measures consistent with NSW health guidelines to minimise getting bitten.
“While most mosquitoes pose little or no risk, a small number can pose a potential threat through the transmission of arboviruses which are a group of viruses transmitted via insects that bite and feed on blood.” Mr Brownlee said.
NSW health has recommended the best ways to avoid being bitten include, using personal insect repellents, avoid being outside unprotected at dusk, ensure water-filled contains are regularly emptied and to keep any flyscreens on windows and door in working order.
For more information or to view council’s Mosquito Management Plan, visit: https://files.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/general-information/mosquitoes/nbcfinalmosquitoplan-october2020.pdf