16 December 2005

Summer stings can be dangerous

NSW Health today warned the community to take care this summer especially with tick and mosquito bites. While most bites are relatively harmless some can be debilitating and even life threatening.

Dr Michael Staff, NSW Health's director of environmental health advises to be on the lookout for ticks when out in the bush and in the garden.

"Ticks like humid, moist bushy areas, so it's important to keep lawns mowed around your house. It's also a good idea to check clothing and pets for ticks when coming indoors," said Dr Staff.

"Ticks inject a toxin that can cause local irritation or a mild allergic reaction, however most tick bites cause little or no symptoms. In some cases ticks can pose a serious threat to a person's health," said Dr Staff.

"Symptoms to be aware of include rashes, headache, flu like symptoms, intolerance to light, weakness in limbs and partial facial paralysis," he said.

Mild allergic reactions and itching can be treated with an anti-itching lotion. If swelling of the face or throat cause breathing difficulties, seek urgent medical attention.

"It is important to remove a tick as soon as possible after locating it. Use fine pointed tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull the tick straight out with steady pressure. If you have difficulty, seek medical attention.

"Do not try to kill the tick with methylated spirits or other chemicals. This only causes the tick to inject more toxins," Dr Staff said.

There are many species of tick in Australia. The most common tick to bite humans is found in NSW along the State's eastern coastal strip and inland for 30 kilometres.

According to Dr Staff, mosquitoes can be a problem in any area where there is water.

"Natural mosquito breeding sites include coastal estuaries, areas near rivers dams and lakes and other areas around the home such as ground pools and containers filled with water," he said.

Dr Staff advised that most bites are harmless, causing nothing more than a small lump and an irritating itch. However, some mosquitos can transfer unpleasant infections such as the Ross River Virus and the related Barmah Forest Virus.

"Symptoms for Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus are similar. They include arthritis of small joints, tiredness, headaches, rash and fever. These diseases are not fatal, but can cause severe, persistent and debilitating symptoms," said Dr Staff.

These diseases can be contracted by anyone. Both are common, with hundreds of cases reported every year, mainly from December through to May, though it is likely that many more cases go unreported.

"The best way to protect you and your family against these diseases is to avoid bites," he said.

Important preventative measures include:

• Protecting your skin from bites by covering up with long sleaves, pants and socks, and using insect repellents on any exposed skin. The best repellents contain the chemical ingredients DEET or picaridin.
• Ensure that there are no pools of water where mosquitos can breed, eg. ponds, undrained pot plants, blocked gutters and old tyres.
• Ensure that all doors and windows are fitted with flyscreens.
• When camping or on holidays make sure your accommodation, including your tent, has flyscreening in good condition.

NSW Health data by year

NSW Health 2005 Data by Health Service (to date)

Fact sheets about stings and bites are available from the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au