Stay safe from Mosquitoes  

Recent wet and warm weather has increased mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes can carry diseases that may be passed on to people through mosquito bites. A range of mosquito-borne diseases have recently been detected in mosquitoes in northern Victoria. Mosquito-borne diseases can cause serious illness, including infections of the brain.

The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. 

In line with community health advice, families can protect against mosquito bites by:

• using insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin if outdoors when mosquitoes are observed, from October to March
• wearing long, loose-fitting clothing outdoors if possible if mosquitoes are around and covering exposed skin as much as possible. At school, It is recommended that students wear repellent on skin not covered by school uniforms.   Summer school uniforms, including polos and shorts, can continue to be worn, but students should use insect repellent on exposed skin if mosquitoes are active 
• limiting outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active.

Further information

• A handy guide to help protect you and your family from mosquito-borne disease
• Better Health Channel information about preventing mosquito-borne diseases.

What our school is doing to stay safe

This term, our school will make insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin available for students to use when they spend time outside. Students can collect the insect repellent from each House Reception.

Please let your child’s House Leader know as soon as possible if your child has an allergy to DEET or picaridin or you would prefer your child not to access repellent, and we will encourage them to use other mosquito protection measures.

On the advice of the Department of Health, outdoor areas will be treated with a thin insecticide spray to reduce mosquito activity on the school site. This work will be undertaken by an experienced professional during the School Holidays. Similar treatments are commonly used in many public settings and when used according to product manufacturer’s instructions, are safe, effective and not harmful to children.