After the flood, fears of a mosquito plague

[depakid]

As if locust and mouse plagues weren't enough....

VICTORIANS should brace themselves for a plague of mosquitoes and an outbreak of Ross River fever as floodwaters recede across the state. The Department of Health warned that pools of stagnant water, left behind from the floods, would be an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The health warning came as parts of Victoria remained on high alert and the Premier, John Brumby, said there was potential for more floods in the north in the coming weeks.

...The flood warnings could well be replaced by bug warnings. A Health Department spokesman, Bram Alexander, said the mosquito threat could last for months, and the potential for Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses were a real concern. A female mosquito, he said, could lay thousands of eggs in just weeks. ''It is a worry because mosquitoes will be out in large numbers,'' Mr Alexander said.

Ross River fever is not fatal, but can make people very sick, with rashes, joint pain and flu-like symptoms. Barmah Forest virus is also non-fatal and has similar symptoms to Ross River. With more rain to cross Victoria in the next 10 days, Mr Brumby said it was likely there would be more flooding. ''I don't think what we've got is likely to go away quickly,''

More: http://www.smh.com.au/national/after-the-flood-fears-of-a-mosquito-plague-20100907-14zo6.html?autostart=1