The City of Greater Geelong is urging community members to take precautions to minimise their risk of contracting the Buruli ulcer which is also known as the Bairnsdale ulcer.
The Department of Health has advised the disease is spreading geographically across Victoria and there has been an increase in cases linked to several suburbs in Greater Geelong.
The Department has also advised there is increasing evidence that mosquitoes and possums play a role in transmission of the disease.
Officers are currently monitoring larval numbers across Greater Geelong and will be continually assessing and reviewing potential breeding sites over the coming months. This includes applying treatments to drains dams and easements where it is safe to do so.
If community members are concerned about a sore or suspect they have an ulcer developing they are urged to seek medical advice.
How you can help protect yourself from mosquitos
- Use personal insect repellents containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin
- Cover up by wearing long loose-fitting light-coloured clothing
- Avoid mosquito-prone areas and vector biting times especially at dusk and dawn
- Empty containers that may hold water including old tyres buckets tins and rubbish bins
- Empty bird baths and pet water dishes on a weekly basis
- Put sand around the bases of pot plants to absorb excess water
- Keep roof gutters in good repair and remove leaves and debris so pools of water do not form
- Mend leaking taps
- Install flywire screens on all windows and self-closing wire screens on doors.
Find out more about:
- our approach to mosquito management
- the Buruli Ulcer on the Better Health Channel website.
Guy Wilson-Browne - Director of City Services
While the City is working hard to safely reduce their numbers mosquitoes are natural part of the ecosystem and it’s not possible to make a significant reduction in their population.
There are many simple things you can do to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Applying insect repellent wearing loose clothes to cover arms and legs and wearing closed-in shoes can significantly increase your protection against mosquito bites.
We are monitoring key sites where there has been a reported increase in mosquitos in areas such as Eastern Park Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
The persistent rain means we’re likely to see higher mosquito numbers than in previous years and unfortunately the rain also limits the effectiveness of the treatments we have applied.