Become a Lane Cove Mozzie Monitor

By
Jacky Barker
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Mozzie Monitors is a citizen science initiative to increase mosquito surveillance, thereby improving public health.

Mozzie Monitoring

Each summer, NSW Health routinely monitors notified cases of mosquito-borne illness and monitors mosquito populations for viruses in strategic locations.

They combine mosquito monitoring with community participation through two different methods (using mozzie traps and/or a smartphone app). Through this engagement, citizen scientists across Australia have been able to collect mosquitoes of medical importance in their backyards, as well as help improve our knowledge of mosquito fauna.

Their next big project is ‘Mozzie Month’, which is a short (6 week) mosquito surveillance season. Mozzie Month will run from Feb 2nd to Mar 16th 2021.  It will run at several locations across Australia. This is an event registered and is in line with the WHO Global Vector Control Response 2017-30.

If you are interested in becoming a citizen scientist and contribute to mosquito surveillance, please fill in this form so Mozzie Monitors can contact you soon with more information.

What Do You Need To Do

Using the iNaturalist platform.  You can participate from anywhere in Australia. You need to have an account on iNaturalist (inaturalist.org) and submit your observations of mosquitoes. These data are valuable to explore species diversity and distribution. You can use either the app or the web-based platform.

Learn More

Please consider following Mozzie Monitors on their social media; they share photos and curiosities about mosquitoes, news about mosquito-borne diseases, and the latest updates about their project.

Dr Cameron Webb is an Assoc Professor of Medical Entomology at Sydney University, and we asked him if Lane Cove residents should be concerned about Ross River Fever.

He told ITC:

“There are a few mosquitoes about but I suspect the areas around Lane Cove will remain below average until we get some more substantial rain; Ross River virus risk will remain low (but not impossible)”

Dr Webb has written an article about the impact of increased rain and mosquitoes in The Conversation – read more here.

In Dr Webb’s article, he stated:

“There isn’t much we can do to change the weather, but we can take steps to reduce the impacts of mosquitoes.

Wearing insect repellent when outdoors will help reduce your chance of mosquito bites. But it’s also important to tip out, cover-up, or throw away any water-holding containers in our backyard, at least once a week.”

Spike in Ross River Fever Cases in 2020

Last Year there was a spike in Ross River Fever in NSW.

In February 2019, NSW Health issued the following statement:

“Sydney residents are being reminded to protect themselves against mosquito bites, as mosquito trapping at Deepwater Park, Bankstown and Sydney Olympic Park has identified mosquitoes carrying Ross River virus.

It is particularly important for people enjoying outdoor activities, such as camping or fishing, in areas with high mosquito numbers take precautions to avoid being bitten.
NSW Health Director of Environmental Health Dr Richard Broome said while Ross River infection was relatively rare in Sydney, high numbers of mosquitoes at this time of year mean people should be cautious.
“There is no treatment for Ross River Virus. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid getting bitten,” he said.
Symptoms include tiredness, rash, fever and sore and swollen joints, typically within three weeks of being bitten. They can subside after several days, but some people may experience them for weeks or even months.
“People should see their doctor if they experience these symptoms,” Dr Broome said.
“NSW Health continues to monitor notified cases of Ross River and other mosquito-borne virus infections to determine the number of cases and whether the infection was acquired locally or elsewhere.”
Simple steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes include:
  • Avoid being outside unprotected at dusk, when mosquitoes are commonly active and cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.
  • Apply mosquito repellent regularly to exposed areas. Repellents containing Diethyl Toluamide or Picaridin recommended. Repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus can also provide adequate protection.
  • Don’t use repellents on the skin of children under the age of three months. Instead use physical barriers such as netting on prams, cots and play areas.
  • Eradicate mosquito breeding sites around the home, including containers that hold water.
  • Use flyscreens on windows and doors of houses and keep them in good order.
  • When camping, use flyscreens, or sleep under mosquito nets. “

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