During the recent warm, wet weather, there has been a spike in mosquitoes across Victoria. The City of Wyndham is also on alert for a mosquito surge. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has launched an exotic mosquito surveillance program to monitor mosquitoes in Australia. This is by the World Health Organization International Health Regulations.
Victorians are being warned to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus this summer.
These mosquitos are natural species, but they can carry diseases to humans and animals. The number of notified cases is just the beginning. According to mosquito experts, the actual number of cases is far greater.
In the past, extreme weather has contributed to mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. This year, scientists have suspected that flooding in the Victorian region contributed to the outbreak. They say that the viruses wereintroduced by mosquitoes blown into the area by monsoon rains. However, they also suspect that these viruses came to Victoria from migrating waterbirds.
Heavy rainfall caused water in bodies of water to increase. This is especially true for the Werribee River, which has become a place for mosquitoes to thrive. The water in wetlands also rose, which promotes mosquito breeding.
It is also suspected that they are spreading the Japanese encephalitis virus, found in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In some parts of Australia, it is considered an invasive pest mosquito.
The number of mosquitoes may increase in the warmer months. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there is a 70 per cent chance of La Nina formation. This means there will be more rainfall, and more mosquitoes, in the eastern states. In addition, dozens of towns are under flood warnings.
The Department of Health has also issued a call to residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes. The Department urges residents to wear long, loose-fitting clothes and to use effective mosquito repellents indoors and outdoors. They also encourage people to clear up standing water on their properties. This will help prevent mosquitoes from breeding and transmitting diseases.
Mosquitoes are a critical concern to Australian health authorities, and they are monitored in many areas of Victoria. Wetland areas are regularly monitored during the warmer months, and mosquitoes are treated to remove larvae. In addition, data collected about species and environmental variables can be used to help with mosquito control.
As climate changes, scientists say there is a risk of more marine heatwaves and marine heat waves, which can destroy kelp forests and reduce breeding habitat for marine species. There is also a risk that dengue-carrying mosquitoes may migrate south as climate changes. This can result in the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika and Japanese encephalitis.
The number of exotic mosquitoes has increased over the last few years. Some species were found in airports and other ports of entry, which has highlighted the potential for them to move into Australia. These species include Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes notoscriptus, Culex annulirostris, and Aedes vigilax.
In addition, recent flooding on Australia’s east coast has resulted in the creation of wetlands. These may have attracted migratory waterbirds from Asia. This is the origin of the recent Japanese encephalitis outbreak.
