Mandurah Battles Severe Mosquito Infestation During Record Breeding Season
Mandurah residents face a severe mosquito infestation due to ideal breeding conditions caused by hot weather and flooding. Authorities are actively targeting mosquito larvae to combat the situation.
Thousands of residents in Mandurah, south of Perth, have been warned to cover up as the city faces a "super-charged mosquito breeding season". The hot weather combined with regular tidal flooding of wetland areas has created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to multiply.
Locals have described the situation as "horrendous," with some saying that they cannot go outside due to the severe mosquito presence. Shockingly, footage has surfaced showing authorities scooping hundreds of mosquito larvae from wetlands.
The City of Mandurah stated it would conduct its 13th mosquito treatment of the season, which includes aerial larvicide applications targeting larvae in the water.
The region's abundant wildlife and saline waters provide the perfect breeding environment for salt marsh mosquitoes, leading to the potential spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.
During the current season, 23 cases of Ross River and five cases of Barmah Forest infections have been reported. Associate Professor Cameron Webb from the University of Sydney informs that while many may experience mild symptoms, others can face serious health issues from these viruses.
Despite Australia being mostly free from severe mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, rare pathogens such as the Japanese encephalitis virus pose a significant threat in certain areas.
Residents are advised to wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and apply insect repellent to exposed skin. They are also encouraged to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites by discarding items that may collect rainfall.
