Some mosquitoes can carry diseases that are transmitted through mosquito bites. In Victoria, the most common viruses transmitted by mosquitoes to humans are Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses. Infections caused by Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis and West Nile (Kunjin) viruses are rare but have the potential to cause severe disease. Here the Ethnic Council and the Goulburn Valley Public Heath Unit provide advice in the Dari, Dinka, Sudanese and Punjabi languages.
People in Shepparton are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites , after recent rainfall and flooding across large areas of Victoria. As flood waters recede leaving pools of stagnant water, enhanced mosquito breeding and the potential for disease transmission will increase.
First Victorian to contract Murray Valley encephalitis since 1974 dies
Health authorities say Victoria’s first human case of Murray Valley encephalitis in nearly 50 years has been discovered in the state’s north and warn the risk of more cases of mosquito-borne disease in the region is very high.