Thursday, May 28, 2009

MOZZIE DANGER AT HOWARD SPRINGS

In view of the second encephalitis death in Darwin and the Health Department’s sluggish public alert , consideration should be given to closing the Howard Springs nature walk and installing a large sign warning of the mozzie danger .

The l.8km walk is swarming with mozzies right now. People intent on taking the pleasant stroll have been sent packing , beating at the insects, some of which attach themselves like augers and become evident inside fleeing cars. While online information about Howard Springs conveys the tip to take insect repellent , the fact is that the mozzies there are so ferocious they bite through shirts , blouses , trousers. Spraying exposed body parts is not sufficient. Once you walk across the weir, after appreciating those whopper barramundi , intent on doing the delightful walk in the bush, you are in kamikaze territory.