First Rockhampton, Queensland dengue fever case in decades

[gary]

Had a travelling companion contract dengue fever once and I can assure you it definitely is not something you want to contract.

If you observe from the backyard, empty any standing water that may have collected in buckets, bird baths, etc.

Wear long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing, and cover your feet. Use insect repellent containing DEET (diethyl toluamide) or picaridin and reapply according to the label.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/quee...24-p51qop.html

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Gary has offered some good advice...a few additional tips:

Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes most commonly feed at dusk and dawn, indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy, "they can bite and spread infection all year long and at any time of day.

Once a week, scrub off eggs sticking to wet containers, seal and/or discard them. The mosquitoes prefer to breed in areas of stagnant water, such as flower vases, uncovered barrels, buckets, and discarded tires, but the most dangerous areas are wet shower floors and toilet tanks, as they allow the mosquitos to breed in the residence.

Research has shown that certain chemicals emanating from bacteria in water containers stimulate the female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. They are particularly motivated to lay eggs in water containers that have the correct amounts of specific fatty acids associated with bacteria involved in the degradation of leaves and other organic matter in water. The chemicals associated with the microbial stew are far more stimulating to discerning female mosquitoes than plain or filtered water in which the bacteria once lived.

So while repellent, fogging and using larvacide can help, getting rid of standing water is key. Eggs can be viable for upto a year.

[gary]

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

Research has shown that certain chemicals emanating from bacteria in water containers stimulate the female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. They are particularly motivated to lay eggs in water containers that have the correct amounts of specific fatty acids associated with bacteria involved in the degradation of leaves and other organic matter in water. The chemicals associated with the microbial stew are far more stimulating to discerning female mosquitoes than plain or filtered water in which the bacteria once lived.

So while repellent, fogging and using larvacide can help, getting rid of standing water is key. Eggs can be viable for upto a year.

Thanks Scott and hope you have been well.

Wow! That is interesting.

Little wonder that roof gutters blocked with leaves is another common breeding place.

All the best!

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Gary, we are doing well but sure missing the dark Southern sky...heck truth be told we miss most everything about Australia...except the disease carrying mosquitoes.

The little boys you may remember are now quite grown...Campbell is attending University (off for our summer) and Thomas will graduate from High School in June and head to University in the Fall.

Back to topic...one of the key things about dengue carrying mosquitoes is that they can and do bite at any time (night and day, dusk and dawn), this is a little unusual compared to most species so folks should be prepared at any time.