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Summary
We love getting outdoors while the weather is warm. The problem is - so do the mosquitoes. They’re not just annoying; some mozzies can transmit serious diseases. There are simple things you can do to Beat the bite!
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Protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne disease:
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors.
- Use mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin.
- Try to limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about (usually dusk and dawn).
- Make sure there is no stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around your home.
- On holidays make sure your accommodation is properly fitted with mosquito netting or screens.
- Don’t forget the kids – it’s safer to spray or rub insect repellents on their clothes rather than directly onto their skin.
- Brochure: Beat the bite! (1209kb, pdf)
- Poster: Beat the bite! (557kb, pdf)
- Fact sheet: Protect babies and small children (400kb, pdf)
- Fact sheet: FAQs about mosquito repellents (402kb, pdf)
- Fact sheet: Mozzie-proof your home (408kb, pdf)
- Fact sheet: Mozzie-proof your holiday (400kb, pdf)
protecting yourself from mosquito bites:
Video transcript is available.
Videos:
Dr John Carnie, former Chief Health Officer for Victoria speaks on:
- Protecting yourself from mosquito bites
- Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses
- Murray Valley Encephalitis
- Mosquitoes can carry diseases
- Murray Valley encephalitis
- Ross River virus disease
- Barmah Forest virus
- If you have any concerns about your health, see your doctor.
- Department of Health, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit Tel. 1300 651 160
- Your local council
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This page has been approved by Better Health Channel:
Last reviewed: February 2011
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
We love getting outdoors while the weather is warm. The problem is - so do the mosquitoes. They’re not just annoying; some mozzies can transmit serious diseases. There are simple things you can do to Beat the bite!
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Copyight © 1999/2012 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
