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- Dont fall for it this April 1st
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- Mosquito numbers increasing
- H1N1 Flu expected to hit early in 2010
- Time to get your child Immunised
- Ross River virus detected in Griffith and Leeton
- Commonwealth teen dental plan
- New Tumut health service manger announced
- Swim safely this Summer
- NSW Parenting program- Families graduate
- Keeping spirits up after a poor harvest
- GSAHS Chief Executive Seconded to NSW Health
- Protecting children's sight with vision screening
- Hazardous Air quality in the Riverina
- Providing support early for new mums
- Mental Health Week in Wagga
- Stress Less Day, Wednesday October 7
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- Swine Flu Updates
- Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Auxiliary delivers 10 beds
- Healthy Little Smiles for Wagga
- New Sector General Manager Announced.
- Calvary Health Care Riverina
- Anti Aging Australia
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Mosquito numbers increasing
Monday 15 February 2010
Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) is warning residents and visitors to the region to cover up and avoid mosquito bites.
GSAHS Director of Public Health Tracey Oakman said mosquito numbers have been high in February and with the recent rain are likely to remain high for a while.
"With more mosquitoes and potential for being bitten there is more chance of people contracting diseases such as Barmah Forest virus and Ross River virus."
"Ross River and Barmah Forest virus infections can cause major illness with symptoms including tiredness, rash, fever, and sore and swollen joints."
"These symptoms usually resolve after several days, but some people may experience these debilitating symptoms for weeks or even months," Ms Oakman said
"There is no specific treatment for these viruses so prevention depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially in the summer and autumn months when infections peak."
People are advised to:
* Apply mosquito repellent regularly (every four hours). It is recommended a repellent containing DEET or Picaridin be used, and is most effective and long lasting in a lotion form.
* Use an insecticide in sleeping areas, according to instructions.
* Wear light coloured, loose fitting clothes with long sleeves and long trousers (mosquitoes are attracted to dark coloured clothes and can bite through tight clothes).
* Ensure flyscreens on houses, caravans and annexes are in good order.
* Ensure open containers of water are removed from around the home to prevent mosquito breeding.
* Check your water tanks are screened with wire gauze no coarser than 1mm mesh to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in the tank.
* When camping take precautions such as using flyscreens on caravans and tents and by sleeping under mosquito nets.
* When fishing take particular care to ensure that you follow personal precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
* Control mosquitoes that enter your house or caravan with a 'knock-down' insecticide aerosol spray.
For a copy of the NSW Health fact sheet on Ross River Fever or Barmah Forest virus visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/
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