NSW Mosquito Screens – Ross River Virus, Japanese Encephalitis & Kunjin Risk

New South Wales — home to Sydney's iconic harbour, the Blue Mountains, and vast inland agricultural regions — is facing a rapidly escalating mosquito-borne disease threat. In the 2024-2025 arbovirus season, NSW recorded 498 Ross River virus (RRV) notifications and 90 Barmah Forest virus (BFV) cases, with both exceeding the 10-year average . The arrival of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) — a potentially deadly disease — and Kunjin virus detections in sentinel chickens have prompted a statewide health warning, with 60 Local Government Areas now considered at elevated risk .

The MBORMC H01 Invisible Retractable Screen offers NSW homeowners the protection they need — custom-fit screens that block RRV, BFV, JEV and Kunjin vectors, preserve views, and require no drilling.

NSW's 2024-2025 Arbovirus Season — The Numbers

The NSW Health 2024-2025 Arbovirus Surveillance Report reveals a significant disease burden. Ross River virus remained the predominant mosquito-borne disease reported in NSW, with notifications exceeding the 10-year average [citation:2].

Key statistics:

• 498 RRV notifications (45 confirmed, 453 probable) [citation:2]
• 90 BFV notifications (4 confirmed, 86 probable) [citation:2]
• 5 JEV cases acquired in NSW [citation:2]
• 1 locally acquired case of Kunjin virus [citation:2]

Regional Distribution — Where Risk Is Highest

RRV notifications were highest in inland regions, with elevated activity also in coastal areas [citation:2]:

Japanese Encephalitis Virus — A Deadly New Threat

In 2022, the unprecedented and widespread emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) across multiple Australian states prompted the declaration of a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance [citation:6]. Since then, JEV has become established in NSW.

In the 2025-2026 season, JEV detections have been earlier than expected. In November 2025, JEV was detected in mosquitoes in Victoria, and in early January 2026, Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in a sentinel chicken in the Upper Lachlan Shire near Goulburn [citation:13]. This indicates that JEV is likely circulating in the area [citation:1].

A probable case of JE is being investigated in a man in his 60s who was likely exposed to the virus in the Riverina region in late December 2025 [citation:1].

JEV is potentially fatal — at least 15 JEV fatalities have been recorded in Australia, including two in NSW earlier in 2025 [citation:6][citation:9]. In February and March 2025, NSW Health reported the deaths of two men aged in their 70s from JE infections [citation:9].

Kunjin Virus — A West Nile Relative

Kunjin virus is a subtype of West Nile virus that can cause severe neurological illness [citation:5][citation:6]. In November 2025, Kunjin virus was detected in a sentinel chicken blood sample in Western NSW at Cowra [citation:5][citation:13].

NSW Health's Director of Health Protection, Dr Stephen Conaty, said these early season detections are "concerning," with mosquito numbers likely to increase with warmer weather [citation:5][citation:6].

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Kunjin virus. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes [citation:5][citation:6].

Ross River Virus — The Predominant Disease

Ross River virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in NSW and Australia [citation:2][citation:10]. It can cause a rash, fever and joint pain (arthralgia). While most people recover within weeks, in some cases symptoms can persist, hindering quality of life [citation:10].

In the 2024-2025 season, RRV notifications were higher than the 10-year average [citation:2]. Cases were highest in inland regions — particularly Hunter New England, Murrumbidgee, and Western NSW — with elevated activity also reported in coastal areas including Northern NSW and the Mid North Coast [citation:2].

RRV can be spread by more than 40 different mosquito species, making it difficult to control through vector management alone [citation:10].

NSW Health Protection Measures

NSW Health's surveillance program monitors mosquito-borne viruses through:

• Sentinel chicken flocks — provide early warning of virus circulation [citation:1][citation:8]
• Mosquito trapping — monitors abundance and virus presence [citation:4][citation:8]
• Human notification reporting — tracks disease cases [citation:2]

NSW Health urges residents to:

• Cover windows and doors with insect screens and check for gaps [citation:5][citation:6]
• Apply repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus [citation:5]
• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk [citation:5]
• Eliminate standing water — remove items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots [citation:5]

For JEV, a safe, effective, and free vaccine is available to anyone who lives or routinely works in 60 NSW Local Government Areas west of the dividing range and in northern NSW [citation:5][citation:6].

The Riverina and Murrumbidgee — Wetlands and Mosquito Risk

NSW's inland river systems — particularly the Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers — create extensive wetland habitats that support mosquito populations. The Reconnecting River Country Program aims to deliver higher environmental flows to the Murrumbidgee to improve river health [citation:3][citation:7]. These flows will create additional wetland habitats that could influence mosquito activity.

Higher environmental flows are not expected to commence before December 2026, and are likely to occur only a handful of times per decade [citation:3][citation:7]. The upper flow limit of 40,000 ML/day at Wagga Wagga is significantly below the 2022 flood level and below minor flood level for most areas [citation:3][citation:7].

However, with JEV now detected in the Riverina and Upper Lachlan Shire, residents of the Murrumbidgee and Riverina regions face elevated mosquito-borne disease risk [citation:1].

How the H01 Protects NSW Homes

The H01 is specifically designed for NSW conditions:

• Blocks RRV vectors — Over 40 mosquito species can transmit Ross River virus; the H01's fine mesh blocks them all [citation:10]
• Blocks JEV vectors — Blocks Culex annulirostris, the primary JEV vector in NSW
• Blocks Kunjin vectors — Prevents West Nile/Kunjin virus transmission
• Blocks BFV vectors — Prevents Barmah Forest virus transmission
• Built for inland and coastal NSW — 6063-T5 aluminium frame and PET mesh resist heat, humidity and UV
• Invisible when retracted — Preserve views of NSW's stunning landscapes
• No-drill installation — Perfect for NSW renters and homeowners
• Removable and washable — Easy to clean after dust and storms

How to Order Your H01 for Your NSW Home

Ordering is simple:

1. Measure your windows or doors (width × height in mm).
2. Choose your mesh type — PET for dust/pollen or 304 stainless steel for durability.
3. Select your frame colour — any RAL colour to match your home.
4. Contact us via WhatsApp or email with your specifications.
5. Install yourself in minutes — no drilling required.

We ship to all NSW regions — Sydney, the Hunter, Riverina, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, Mid North Coast, Western NSW, and beyond. All screens are custom-made to your measurements and shipped with a 2-year warranty.