With March a peak mosquito activity period, the community are being reminded to not only protect themselves but also their horses against potentially fatal mosquito borne diseases that are spreading through South Australia.
Council has been contacted by SA Health this week who have advised that PIRSA has been conducting testing of horses in the Gawler region to look for the presence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV).
This follows some test results that are suggestive that a small number of horses may have been infected with the virus within the Town of Gawler. These horses have been reported from the Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Plains, Gawler, Barossa and Mid North regions with further testing currently being undertaken by the Department.
“The risk of mosquito- borne disease is high across the State, with Gawler now being identified as an area of exposure. We encourage our community to be vigilant during this time by protecting themselves and helping to reduce mosquito numbers by eliminating potential breeding sites around properties” – Mayor Karen Redman
Council have commenced a campaign to ensure community awareness of the issue and to promote the steps you can take to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and infection.
Protect yourself against mosquitoes:
- Wear light coloured, loose-fitting and long-sleeved clothing
- Use insect repellent on all exposed skin surfaces
- Limiting outdoor activity between dusk and dawn
- Fitting mosquito screens to doors, windows and vents
- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around the house
From 1 March 2023, PIRSA commenced contacting horse owners to implement mosquito reduction activities. This includes advising how to reduce mosquito numbers and exposure to mosquitoes to reduce the risk of arboviruses, including MVEV, WNV-K, JEV, and Ross River virus. Landholders are advised to control mosquitoes on their property, eliminate breeding areas and use chemicals responsibly.
Further information regarding the current level of risk in South Australia can be found on the arbovirus and mosquito monitoring reports page on the SA Health website.
You can also visit the Fight the Bite webpage for additional tips on how to protect yourself and your family.
