Mosquito-borne diseases

In Western Australia (WA) there are five mosquito-borne diseases of public health significance, all are caused by the transmission of viruses. These diseases include:

• Ross River virus (RRV) disease
• Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease
• Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE)
• Kunjin (KUN).
• Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)

In people, infection with a mosquito-borne virus can be asymptomatic, but in some situations, it may also be associated with serious and debilitating symptoms. In the case of MVE and JEV, clinical disease can be potentially fatal.

Please refer to the Department's Fight the Bite - At Home or Fight the Bite - On Holiday in Australia brochures, that can be accessed from the campaign webpage, for more information on mosquito-borne diseases in WA.

In nature, the viruses that cause RRV, BFV, MVE, KUN and JEV diseases are passed back and forth in a cycle between wildlife (vertebrate hosts) and vector mosquito species. Infected animal hosts play an important role in pathogen transmission but rarely display clinical signs associated with disease. Whilst it’s possible that people can contribute to transmission, they are generally considered dead-end hosts for those viruses acquired in WA. 

People are at risk of infection when they are in close proximity to the virus transmission cycle.  As urban sprawl continues to encroach upon natural mosquito breeding and wildlife habitats, this risk continues to grow. 

The Department of Health runs a surveillance program to determine when mosquito numbers are on the rise and virus is active within the environment. This information is used by both local government and the Department of Health to inform mosquito management activities and issue media statements regarding the increased risk to public health.

If travelling overseas or interstate (northern Queensland, in the case of dengue), it is important to be aware that mosquitoes can transmit a range of other exotic pathogens. Common mosquito-borne diseases acquired outside of WA (Healthy WA site) include:

• dengue
• malaria
• chikungunya
• yellow fever 
• Zika

Local transmission of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika currently does not occur in WA. This is because the mosquitoes that commonly transmit these pathogens are not present locally. However, these diseases may be acquired while travelling overseas so appropriate precautions (Healthy WA site) should be taken. 

Please refer to the Department's Fight the Bite - On Holiday Overseas brochure, that can be accessed from the campaign webpage, for more information.