Residents in Cockburn and Rockingham are being urged to stay on top of guarding themselves against mosquito bites after Ross River virus was detected in the area.
The virus was detected by the Department of Health and PathWest from mosquito samples collected by the City of Cockburn's Environmental Health team from Thomson's lake in July.
The virus has also been detected at a number of other sites within the greater Peel region including in the City of Rockingham.
These detections have been deemed highly unusual by the City, as mosquito numbers and virus activity are typically reduced during winter.
"It is important for residents to think about ways to protect themselves, their families and their homes from mosquitoes," City's Manager of Environmental Health Services Nick Jones said.
“The only way to prevent being infected with a mosquito-borne disease, such as Ross River virus, is to avoid being bitten in the first place.”
To avoid being bitten, the City environmental health departments encourages residents to wear long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing, use insect repellent and empty or cover water holding containers outside their homes.
The City will continue to monitor the mosquito population and treat locations where the pests are likely to breed.
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