IN WHAT has been described as an "explosion" of the dreaded mosquito-born auto-immune Ross River disease, more than 300 people have been diagnosed with the condition in Victoria during the 2016 calendar year, Fairfax reports.
Victoria's chief health officer Professor Charles Guest said this was nearly a 50% jump from the previous year and probably "an underestimate", given that many were not diagnosed and therefore not reported to the department.
While the virus is rare in Melbourne, it is not uncommon in rural and regional areas he said.
Guest advised using "mosquito repellent containing picaridin or DEET, wearing loose fitting clothing when outside and ensuring accommodation is mosquito proof."
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