Bass Coast Council warns of Ross River virus risk

Posted February 25, 2008 09:50:00

Cases of Ross River virus have been reported on Phillip Island, and the Bass Coast Shire Council is warning residents and visitors to take precautions.

The virus, which is carried by mosquitoes, is usually contracted around water during the warmer months, and can be diagnosed by a blood test.

The council's environmental health officer, Carl Gheller, says people who are near the water around dusk and dawn should cover up and use insect repellent.

"Symptoms are basically like flu type symptoms, you can have aches and pains of your joints and so forth," he said.

"You can feel tired, you can feel lethargic, you just feel like there's something not quite right, and you just don't have any energy."

Topics: ross-river-fever, local-government, cowes-3922, sale-3850