Rising water in the River Murray has caused a surge in mosquito-borne infections in South Australia.
There have been 351 cases of Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) across SA this year so far, compared to only 16 cases at the same time last year, SA Health's chief public health officer Stephen Christley says.
The symptoms caused by these infections may vary in severity from person to person and can include joint pain, rash, fever, fatigue or muscle pain, he said.
"While most people will recover completely in a few weeks, some can have quite severe symptoms for many months. Anyone suffering from symptoms should contact their doctor for advice," Dr Christley says.
He urged people to remember to protect themselves and use an insect repellent containing either DEET or Picaridin.
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"Because mosquitoes can bite through tight-fitting clothing, it's also useful to protect against mosquito bite by covering up and wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing."
People can also reduce the number of potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes by emptying or discarding containers that hold water such as pot plant drip trays, bottles, cans, tyres, gutters and wading pools.
