The humble mosquito kills more people on a global scale than any other organism.
Ask anyone about scary Australian wildlife and they’ll probably mention sharks, snakes, spiders or crocodiles. But for most of us, the creature we’re most likely to encounter is the humble mosquito – and it kills more people on a global scale than any other organism.
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The further north you go in Australia, the more mosquitoes there are. And in tropical areas like North Queensland and the Northern Territory, mosquitoes carry and transmit a number of diseases, including Dengue, Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Chikungunya and even West Nile Virus.
As there are no vaccines for most mosquito-borne diseases, preventing yourself from being bitten is the strongest form of defence.
When visiting the warmer parts of Australia, reduce your chances of exposing yourself to illness by following the tips below.
Preventing being bitten
- Cover exposed skin with loose, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET or Picaridin and reapply often.
- Use mosquito coils or a plug-in vaporiser.
- Be aware of peak mosquito biting hours whether daytime or dawn/dusk*
- Carry a mosquito net with you, preferably one that is treated with a pyrethroid insecticide (e.g. permethrin).
*Note: Not all mosquitoes prefer dawn and dusk. For example, the Aedes Aegypti mosquito (responsible for Dengue) bites during the day.
Know the symptoms
If you or someone you’re with develops any symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease, see a doctor immediately.
The symptoms of Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases are similar. Keep an eye out for any combination of the following flu-like signs.
- Fever
- Severe headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Rashes
- Bleeding from nose or gums
If you’re in a remote area and start to feel unwell or need urgent medical assistance, call 000. In areas with poor mobile coverage, dial 112.
About Dengue
Dengue usually has an incubation period of 4-7 days (though sometimes up to 14 days) on average, with symptoms appearing suddenly and lasting for 3-7 days. While it’s rarely fatal, being repeatedly infected can lead to haemorrhagic fever, which can cause intensive bleeding and shock.
While most mosquito-borne diseases need a host animal like a bird or wallaby to spread, Dengue can be transmitted between people when a mosquito bites an infected person – this can take 8-12 days to occur.
More tips on avoiding mosquito-borne disease
- Disease-carrying mosquitoes bite during the day, though most mosquitoes tend to be more active at dawn and dusk.
- Babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases. 10% DEET repellents are considered safe for babies aged 2 months and older, though care should be taken not to apply it near eyes, hands or mouth.
- Don’t assume your accommodation is free of mosquitoes. Always carry repellent (or even a net), especially if your room doesn’t have screens.
- Mosquito coils aren’t considered harmful to humans, though the smell is unpleasant to some people. Always burn them on a fire-proof surface.
