Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease

The most effective protection from mosquito bites is to use insect repellent and cover up. Some simple tips include:

Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing. Cover up and wear long, loose-fitting clothing. Use mosquito repellents containing picardin, or DEET on all exposed skin. Limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about. Remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around your home or campsite at least once a week. Make sure your home is fitted with mosquito netting or screens. Use ’knockdown’ fly spray, surface spray, mosquito coils containing pyrethrum or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit or eat outdoors. Don’t forget the kids – always check the insect repellent label. On babies, you might need to spray or rub repellent on their clothes instead of their skin. Avoid applying repellent to the hands of babies or young children.

The risk of mosquito-borne diseases will increase in the coming months across the region, as mosquito numbers increase. Council is advising the community that it is not too late to get vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

Japanese Encephalitis is a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain that is caused by a virus that can spread to humans through mosquito bites. It is best to be prepared – JE vaccination can protect you against infection.

JE vaccine is free for eligible Victorians if you live or work in high risk areas of Victoria and meet additional criteria. For further information on the eligibility criteria, visit https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/japanese-encephalitis

You can receive JE vaccine by booking into one of councils JE immunisation clinics or by visiting your local GP. To book into a council clinic, visit - https://greatershepparton.com.au/community/safety-and-wellbeing/immunisation/japanese-encephalitis-vaccinations. 

You do not need a booster vaccination against JE if you have already been vaccinated.

A reminder that the JE vaccine will not protect against other mosquito borne diseases such as Ross River Fever, Barmah Forest Virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis or West Nile (Kunjin) virus. The best protection against these diseases is to not get bitten by mosquitoes.

For further information on how to protect yourself from mosquito bites, visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/protect-yourself-mosquito-borne-disease