Council reviewed its mosquito management program at a meeting on Monday.

Mayor Pam Clarke said the program was interesting.

“The most disappointing thing is that there have been 53 cases of Ross River virus in the municipality this year,” she said. “Last year, it was a lot less with only 17 confirmed cases.

“We need to look after ourselves this coming season because Ross River can be a very debilitating virus.”

Following floods in September last year, conditions were perfect for an increased breeding of mosquitoes.

The Department of Health and Human Services provided funding to Wimmera council to tackle mosquito problems.  

In a report to council, senior environmental health officer Luke Mitton said council ran a mosquito management program in both Horsham and Northern Grampians municipalities.

“Adult trapping, larvae surveillance and treatment were done between January and May in Horsham and between February and May in Northern Grampians,” he said.

Mr Mitton said the abundant species in Horsham was the Culex annulirostris species.  “This species is a known Ross River virus vector,” he said.

“There were 53 cases of confirmed Ross River virus in the municipality and one case of Barmah Forest virus. There were 18 cases of Ross River virus in Northern Grampians Shire.”

Mr MItton said the mosquito management plan detailed what action council would take if there were similar mosquito conditions in the future.

“The plan also outlines initial surveillance activities that council will do to gain an understanding of mosquito numbers at the start of each breeding season,” he said.

“This is important given the high rates of Ross River virus in the municipality each year.”