Authorities warn public over mosquito disease

The Centre for Disease Control says an environmental health officer will conduct a mosquito survey at a community north of Alice Springs after confirmation an infant has contracted Murray Valley Encephalitis.

The Centre for Disease Control says an environmental health officer will conduct a mosquito survey at a community north of Alice Springs after confirmation an infant has contracted Murray Valley Encephalitis.Health authorities have issued a Territory-wide warning for the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease.Authorities have said the child is in a serious but stable condition.Public health officer Dr Rosalie Schultz says it is the first case in central Australia for seven years.”There has been heavy rains throughout the north of Australia and down towards central Australia and that’s led to mosquitos having breeding patterns right down there,” she said.(Source: ABC Health News, April 2004)