Mosquito Management in Western Australia: A Focus on Gosnells and Canning
Western Australia residents are being urged to take proactive measures to avoid mosquito bites, especially in the Gosnells and Canning districts, where recent years have seen recorded cases of the Ross River virus. The Department of Health's chief health officer, Dr. Andrew Robertson, highlights the ongoing presence of the Ross River virus across the state, with varying case numbers annually.
In the 2021-2025 period, the data reveals a concerning trend: six cases were detected in Gosnells and five in Canning. This is in addition to eight cases in Armadale and six in Serpentine Jarrahdale during the same period. These statistics underscore the importance of mosquito management in these areas.
The City of Gosnells is taking a proactive approach by closely monitoring mosquito activity and implementing targeted treatments at identified breeding sites during the 2025-2026 mosquito season. The city's chief executive officer, Ian Cowie, emphasizes the importance of following health guidelines to protect against mosquito bites. These guidelines include wearing long, loose-fitting, lightly colored clothing to cover exposed skin, applying effective insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and ensuring the removal or covering of water-holding containers around homes and gardens.
The City of Canning, which includes the Canning River as a central feature, faces unique challenges due to the river's aquatic environments, which can support mosquito breeding, especially in areas influenced by tides. The city's focus on mosquito management includes a comprehensive program aimed at reducing mosquito breeding, adult mosquito populations, and disease incidence. This program encompasses inspections and treatments of mosquito larvae in known breeding areas, regular mosquito trapping to monitor adult numbers, monitoring of tides and storm surge activity during the summer months, treatment of stormwater drains, and ongoing community education.
Both councils are encouraging residents to report increased mosquito activity, especially around homes and river areas, and to take personal precautions when spending time outdoors. By combining community efforts with targeted mosquito management strategies, these councils are working towards reducing the impact of mosquitoes and the potential transmission of diseases like the Ross River virus.
