Health experts issue warning over mosquito diseases

South Australian health experts are warning people to be vigilant when protecting themselves against mosquitoes this summer, after a shocking start to the year.

Already 1,056 cases of Ross River Virus have been reported, triple the number of cases for all of 2010, which total 349.

And the incidence of another mosquito-borne disease, Barmah Forest Virus, has also tripled on last year's figures. Currently there have been 125 reported cases, but the total cases of the virus last year were only 43.

Dr Chris Lease from SA Health said cases had tapered off in the cooler months, but authorities were preparing themselves for more as the weather warms up again.

"We had a bad start to the year, we had most of our cases of Ross River Virus at the start of the year, that’s put us with a high level of cases for this year," he said.

"Looking at the weather, we need to continue our messages of getting people to look after themselves against mosquito borne diseases."

"We tell people to cover up, repell and eliminate."

"So covering up with long clothing that’s light coloured and loose, repell by using recognized repellents, and eliminate mosquito breeding areas."

"You can do that right now, there’s no need to wait for the weather to warm up," he said.

Dr Lease also advises to protect your home, and stop mosquitoes from coming in.

"Make sure that your window screens are intact, cover up the openings of things like your rainwater tank," he said.

"It’s so simple basically and it will save you a lot of grief."

• For more information on how to avoid dreaded mosquito bites, visit the SA Health information page here.