‘Beat The Bite’ Helps Youngsters Stay Mosquito-Safe

Thousands of children can help their families ‘Beat the Bite’ with the statewide distribution of books that help teach the importance of mosquito-bite prevention.

Jack & Angie - Beat the Bite is an entertaining story about two youngsters who love playing in, and exploring, the great outdoors while staying safe from mosquito bites.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said this was a fun and informative way of helping youngsters understand the risk mosquitoes posed and ways to protect themselves and their families.

“The best way to avoid infection by mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, and this creative children’s book explains to children and their families four simple steps to take to stay bite free - spray up, cover up, screen up and clean up,” Mr Park said.

“Through this story, we hope children can encourage their families, peers and even the community to take simple actions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.

More than 77,000 books have been printed and are being delivered to schools, early childhood and education centres and local Councils across NSW, with 430 public and independent schools, 103 early childhood and education centres, 66 Councils already having opted in to receive books.

Other services such as Aboriginal health and immunisation services, scouts and guides across NSW have also ordered books.

The statewide distribution is an expansion of a popular Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) initiative which saw more than 43,000 books distributed across Murrumbidgee, Southern and Western NSW.

MLHD Senior Environment Officer and author Tony Burns said he was really excited that Jack and Angie were going to be helping spread the message about mosquito-bite prevention to a much wider audience.

“We know mosquitoes can transmit a range of diseases, so we want to make sure as many people as possible get this important message,” Mr Burns said.

“We’re keen to see youngsters get the message early, so they can develop good habits around taking precautions against mosquito bites.”

Mosquitoes can transmit diseases that are spread to humans through mosquito bites

In NSW they can carry viruses such as Japanese encephalitis (JE), Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), Ross River, and Barmah Forest virus.

These viruses may cause symptoms ranging from tiredness, rash, headache, and sore and swollen joints to rare, but severe symptoms of seizures and loss of consciousness.

Protective measures to avoid bites, include:

• Wearing light, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks.

• Avoiding being outdoors at dawn and dusk.

• Applying repellent to all areas of exposed skin, especially those that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus which are the most effective against mosquitoes.

• Reapplying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Always applying sunscreen first and then applying repellent.

• Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes. Mosquito coils should only be used outside.

A vaccine is available to protect against Japanese encephalitis virus, which is available for free to those at greatest risk of exposure.

For more information on eligibility, visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/jevaccine

Services interested in receiving Jack & Angie - Beat the Bite can contact the Surveillance and Risk Unit, Environmental Health Branch at HSSG-EHBSurveillance@health.nsw.gov.au.

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