Published on Friday, 7 November 2025 at 11:06:53 AM
The Shire of Capel strongly urges residents and visitors to the region to protect themselves from mosquito bites following the detection of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.
These viruses have recently been detected in the South West by the Department of Health through its routine testing of mosquitoes from Mandurah to Busselton.
Both viruses can produce debilitating symptoms including painful or swollen joints, sore muscles, skin rashes, fever, fatigue, headaches and rash lasting for weeks to months.
There are no cures or vaccinations for either of these viruses.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐บ๐ผ๐๐พ๐๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐-
Covering Up - wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, use screens around the house and nets if outside.
Repel - use mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (not eucalyptus oil)
Clean Up - keep grass/vegetation short, empty all containers that hold water
For more information, including further RRV and BFV symptoms and mosquito prevention tips, visit the HealthyWA website.
Back to All News