NSW Labor has called on the state government to consider aerial spraying to kill mosquitoes following concerns about the possible outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases. NSW Shadow Health Minister and Minister for the North Coast Walt Secord raised the matter in State Parliament yesterday in a question without notice to NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair.
‘My question without notice is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Land and Water – what steps is the State Government taking to protect the community against Ross River fever as floodwaters recede on the north coast and will you consider comprehensive aerial spraying?,’ Mr Secord asked.
Mr Secord pointed out that the massive floods and rains on the north coast had provided the perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes, which could carry disease such as Ross River, Barmah Forest Fever and Murray Valley Encephalitis.
In 2016 there were 570 cases of Ross River Fever in NSW.
Ross River fever is one of a group of viruses called arboviruses (or arthropod-borne viruses), which are spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Some will have flu-like symptoms that include fever, chills, headache and aches and pains in the muscles and joints.
Some joints can become swollen, and joint stiffness may be particularly noticeable in the morning. A general feeling of being unwell, tired or weak may also occur at times during the illness; and some may experience symptoms such as joint pain and tiredness for many months.
Mr Secord accused the government of being slow to react to the threat.
‘While symptoms from mosquito-borne diseases can be over within a few days, for older people or young children, they can experience symptoms for weeks or even months,’ Mr Secord said.
‘I would like to see the State Government consider aerial spraying due to the scale of the massive flooding on the North Coast.
Mr Secords parliamentary plea followed a warning from Tweed Council’s manager building and environmental health David McNicoll.
Mr McNicol had reminded people to empty any containers, old tyres, buckets pot plant holder and poorly aligned or blocked roof gutters.
What you can do:
- Keep indoors at dawn and dusk and wear long sleeve shirts and insect repellent if the mosquitoes are active.
- Ensure you cover all windows, doors, chimneys, vents and other entrances with insect screens that are in good condition.
- Keep your yard well-maintained, mow lawns regularly, and limit areas of dense vegetation.
- Clean up your yard and remove all water holding containers or rubbish and keep house gutters clean and properly aligned.
- Empty and refill pet water bowls and bird baths at least weekly.
- Ensure all openings to water tanks and septic tanks are screened securely.
- Place sand or fine gravel in pot plant trays, or flush them out weekly.
- Keep ornamental ponds stocked with native fish species that will feed on larvae.
Imagine instead of aerial spraying — known to be ineffective and poisonous in the extreme —
all levels of govt give people
1. a checklist what to do about standing water around home,
2. free supply og personal repellants
(DEET if you like but ones with essential oils of citronella and such
will work IF the quantity is at least 15% of active ingredients)
3. money for screens over open waterbodies where important & useful and
ALSO
4. free ‘mozzie dunks’ for places where suitable
(These are Bacillis bacteria specially targetting mozzies and black flies
REVIEW
http://bugofff.com/do-mosquito-bits-and-dunks-work-are-they-safe-a-review/
Will NSW labour then require more government money set aside for toxic pharmaceuticals to treat the toxic insecticide suffering people and animals and everything living thing in the affected food chain as a result of indiscriminate spraying? I lived in Canada in the 60s. They sprayed DDT over towns to kill mosquitoes. Apart from poisoning people, it didn’t kill mosquitoes. If they are under leaves or in various other conditions it has no impact. Aerial spraying, no matter what the toxin, is not targeted and is ineffective.
Please read this article. Massive spraying of toxic chemicals is completely wrong in EVERY way. Gives an illusion of control but actually worsens everything.. essential reading before yet another mindless damaging air strike by foolish paranoid humans. http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/spring03false.html
We have always had Green tree frogs, plus a lot of other frogs chattering away at night during summer, this year, the toxic chemical spraying has increased markedly and what has happened is NO FROGS, I think they have literally killed them all off, have heard nothing this summer, no frogs, Of course that flows through the Eco system, as if we have not done enough already to throw everything out of balance. Stop spraying chemicals over our natural environment. It kills insects meaning it is obviously not good for humans, and it wipes out frogs and thus everything that also relies on frogs and other creatures. Areas like where we live n Bilambil are using rain water tanks, lovely fresh (toxic tainted) water, great.
Tweed Council, development on Kings Forest, no protection for Koalas, what next. Council disbanded by the state Government only for the perpetrators of mismanagement and potential conflict of interest in building developments and more to be reintroduced to Council by a whip around lottery in a hat, what a joke.