11 December 2006

Keeping the sting out of summer

With summer the peak season for stings and bites, NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos is warning people to protect themselves against ticks and mosquitoes.
Most mosquito and tick bites are relatively harmless but some can be debilitating and even life threatening.
Mr Hatzistergos said there is always the risk of mosquitoes transferring infections such as Ross River Virus and the related Barmah Forest Virus.
“Anyone can contract these diseases,” he said.
“We have hundreds of cases reported each year, mainly from December through to May, and it is likely that many more cases go unreported.”
Mr Hatzistergos said mosquitoes are a threat in any area where there is water.
“Mosquitoes breeding grounds include coastal estuaries, areas near rivers, dams and lakes as well as around the home near pools and containers of water,” he said.
“The best way to protect against these diseases is to avoid bites,” he said.
Important preventative measures include:

• Covering up with long sleeves, pants and socks, and using insect repellents to protect exposed skin. The best repellents contain the chemicals DEET or picaridin.
• Ensure there are no pools of water where mosquitoes can breed eg ponds.
• Ensure all doors and windows are fitted with flyscreens.
• When camping or on holidays make sure that your accommodation, including your tent, has flyscreening in good condition.

Mr Hatzistergos also warned the community to be on the lookout for ticks when out in the bush or garden.
There are many species of ticks in Australia with the most common tick to bite humans found along the NSW eastern coastal strip and inland for 30 kilometres.
“Ticks are found in moist, humid bush areas,” he said.
“If you have been in the bush, or even out in the garden, make sure you check your clothing and if you have pets, check them too. It’s also a good idea to keep the lawn around your house mowed regularly.
“Ticks inject a toxin that can cause local irritation or a mild allergic reaction and in most cases cause little or no symptoms,” Mr Hatzistergos said.

“Mild reactions to tick bites can be treated with an anti-itching lotion.”
However, Mr Hatzistergos warns that in some cases ticks can pose a serious threat to a person’s health.
“Symptoms to be on the lookout for include rashes, headache, flu like symptoms, intolerance to light, weakness in limbs and partial facial paralysis,” he said.
“If the person has difficult breathing because of swelling to the face or throat, seek medical attention immediately.”
Mr Hatzistergos said if you find a tick, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible.
“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 trouble removing it, seek medical attention.
“Do not try to kill the tick with methylated spirits or other chemicals as this will cause the tick to inject more toxins.”

Mosquito born diseases by Area Health Service (2006 year to date)

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