Explosion of Ross River virus prompts mosquito warning for Victoria

[gary]

Article here -
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/explosion-of-ross-river-virus-prompts-mosquito-warning-for-victoria-20170104-gtlyn8.html

[casstony]

While it's always good to have publicity about mosquito borne diseases, the article isn't particularly accurate according to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, which shows relatively lower numbers of infections reported nationally and for Victoria last year.
http://www9.health.gov.au/cda/source/rpt_4.cfm

Regardless, mosquitos in all parts of Australia can transmit debilitating diseases and we should always be cautious. Thousands of Australians suffer new infections every year.

[Wavytone]

It's a slow news week and the media are having to cook up stories to justify their existence.

In Sydney this week the only news is the usual spate of drownings among those who are either too plastered to notice or from certain unmentionable ethnic backgrounds, and which aging celebrity is dating someone inappropriate or has popped their clogs.

Also look more closely at the extremes in the numbers and what year. For example in Vic only 15 reported in 2005 yet 1300 in 2011. There's something odd about these figures statistically that suggests they aren't representative of the real infection rate.

[Boozlefoot]

I had Ross River in the late 80's (Tamworth area, but also had a work trip to Mackay region shortly before), and wouldn't wish it on anybody. Takes ages to get over it, as in years. The kids used to say "Dad's having another tired attack" and that's exactly what it is. ( Unlike the current bout of aperture fever which operates in cycles similar to my pay issue times.)