![22 of 50 fruit fly outbreak areas in the Riverland have been without a detection in three months, but authorities are reminding the community to remain vigilant. File picture 22 of 50 fruit fly outbreak areas in the Riverland have been without a detection in three months, but authorities are reminding the community to remain vigilant. File picture](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/quinton.mccallum/b71eff7b-9b0e-42d5-af12-e7fc20504117.jpg/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The number of fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland is hovering at 50, following two new outbreak declarations in the past fortnight, but there is hope the situation is coming under control.
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Outbreaks were declared in Bookpurnong B and New Residence B, while outbreak boundaries were extended at Barmera, Berri A, Bookpurnong B and Renmark West B.
PIRSA Fruit Fly Response incident controller Con Poulos said despite two new outbreaks, current detection trends were positive.
Of the 50 outbreak areas, 22 have not had a detection in more than 12 weeks.
"The Riverland community has helped us immensely with detecting flies and reporting maggots in fruit, meaning we can strike with the right tools at the right time," Mr Poulos said.
"It's comforting to see no detections in 22 outbreak areas for the last three months, but we still have to stay vigilant. This is how we will eventually start to make our way out of the outbreak restrictions."
Sterile fruit fly releases are ongoing, with Cadell, Swan Reach, Sunlands, Qualco, Taylorville, Holder and Monash North hosting release sites from February 19 to March 31.
Baits have been applied by PIRSA officials in Swan Reach, Cadell, Sunlands, and Monash North to help the releases be more effective.
People are encouraged to contact PIRSA on their Fruit Fly Hotline at 1300 666 010 if they suspect any fruit fly activity on their property.