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The malaria parasite is well known for hijacking red blood cells in its potentially deadly quest to spread to its next unsuspecting victim via a mosquito bite.But scientists have discovered it has another surprising trick up its sleeve: it can lurk undetected in the spleen, which filters blood.Key points:Scientists had long suspected this finding but had no direct evidence until nowThe discovery rewrites what we know about the life cycle of this insidious parasite that infects millions of people …

Byron Shire Council has joined with Northern Rivers councils and the North Coast Public Health Unit to launch the Tackling Mosquitoes Together campaign and free text message program aimed at reducing the disease risks and nuisance of mosquitoes.“A whopping 429 cases of Ross River Virus were reported by the Northern NSW Local Health District in 2020 which is the second highest number of cases on record, up from an average of 135 cases a year over the last 30 years.“Our free SMS text message progr …

Artificial light abnormally increases mosquito biting behavior at night in a species that typically prefers to bite people during the day, according to research from the University of Notre Dame that was published in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.Increased biting by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which normally fly and bite in the early morning and during the afternoon, highlights the concern that increasing levels of light pollution could impact transmission of diseases such …

The Department of Health is reminding residents and travellers in the South West of Western Australia, including the Peel region, to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites over the coming months.The warning follows multiple detections of Ross River virus (RRV) in mosquitoes in the South West for the first time this year. The timing is unusual, as mosquito and mosquito-borne virus activity is often reduced in the winter months.Acting Managing Scientist at the Department of Health, Dr Abbey Pott …

Ross River Virus cases surge in Qld and NSW (Click on this link to hear more)While coronavirus has been at the forefront of our minds, some parts of Australia are experiencing an outbreak of a different illness.An explosion in mosquito numbers has seen a surge in the number of people being infected with Ross River Virus.It's a condition that can be debilitating and for some it takes years to recover.And even with the onset of winter just weeks away, experts say many of us need to be on guard to …