Mosquito control was the theme

Mosquito control, not eradication, was Sandy Robinson's theme when she addressed a packed monthly meeting of the Hardy's Bay Residents' Group at the Killcare Beach Surf Club on March 28.

Hardys Bay Residents' Group member Mr Allan Wilson said that the group's distribution of leaflets about the threat of the saltmarsh mosquito had heightened public interest and concern.

"The 100-strong audience made it abundantly clear where their feelings lay with an overwhelming endorsement of a motion to proceed with remedial strategies through the appropriate channels.

"Ms Robinson, the evening's guest speaker, who has waged a committed campaign for the last two years, spoke passionately on an issue which has confronted her since she first moved to Killcare Heights.

"Shortly after settling into their new home, she and her husband, Anthony, discovered that the mosquito problem had been prevalent in the area for at least 20 years.

"Keen to learn more about the insects and the potential threat they pose, she has gathered information on the subject from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Sydney University, the Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital and Runge Agrichems, a Sydney company which closely monitors the breeding habits of mosquitoes.

"Further investigations revealed that mosquito control can be complicated due to the large number of different species impacting on widely different environments."

Mr Wilson said control was usually within the power of the householder to reduce breeding sites and lessen biting opportunities."

Ms Robinson explained to the meeting that the saltmarsh mosquito was regarded as the most significant pest in coastal areas of NSW.

Mr Wilson said: "This species is a known vector of disease spreading Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses and is closely associated with estuarine wetlands."

Central Coast Health monitored mosquito populations and species across the coast.

Its program included mosquito trapping stations placed in strategic locations.

This sampling helped identify trends in mosquito numbers, and the predominant species.

"Providing a sobering example of the serious consequences which can befall a victim, a heavily-bandaged Wagstaffe resident, Bill Teasdell, added dramatic impact to Sandy Robinson's address.

"He revealed that recent contact with saltmarsh mosquitoes, during which he suffered multiple bites to both legs, nearly resulted in a fatal outcome," Mr Wilson said.

"He was rushed to hospital, placed on an intravenous drip, and spent four days under observation after being diagnosed with cellulitis, an inflammation of the connective tissue caused by an infection from the mosquito bites.

"Mr Teasdell applauded the stand Sandy Robinson has taken to create greater public awareness of the mosquito plague and her desire to intensify the necessary official actions required to control the problem."

"I was most impressed with her talk at the meeting and her wide knowledge of this serious problem," Mr Teasdell said.

Press release, April 5 Allan Wilson, Hardy's Bay Residents' Group