Mossies warning

The Shire of Ashburton is warning residents to be vigilant of mosquito-borne viruses as two incurable diseases were found in the area.

Shire president Kerry White encouraged residents to avoid mosquito bites following continued detections of the deadly Murray Valley encephalitis virus.

“Our environmental health team have detected MVE virus present in Tom Price through their ongoing surveillance program,” she said.

“While it is rare, the disease can be potentially fatal and there have been no reported human cases of MVE at this point.

“Initial symptoms of MVE include fever, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, nausea and dizziness. People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice quickly. In severe cases, people may experience fits, lapse into a coma, be left with permanent brain damage or die.”

The Shire also advised there had been nine confirmed cases of the debilitating Ross River virus in the region which, like MVE, did not have a vaccine or cure.