Last week we brought you news of positive Japanese encephalitis virus detections in mosquitoes in the Griffith region.
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Just a few days later, JEV was also reported in the region to the other side of us, with positive detections in Moira Shire.
The virus has been identified in two mosquito traps in the shire, near Cobram.
Murray Valley ecehphalitis has also been detected in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
Victorian chief health officer Tarun Weeramanthri said anyone holidaying or living along the Murray River system should be taking extra precautions to prevent mozzie bites.
“So cover up, use repellent and limit your time outdoors when mosquitoes are about,” Dr Weeramanthri said.
The Edward River, Murray River, Berrigan Shire and Murrumbidgee Council regions are included in the free JEV vaccination program.
Learn more about vaccinations, symptoms, treatment and prevention by going to www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx.
Muster now on sale
Excitement is already mounting for Deniliquin’s biggest party of the year.
Tickets for the 2025 Deni Ute Muster went on sale last week.
While no artists have been announced for the October ‘Party of the Plains’ yet, it never stops the fans from snapping up their tickets early.
To help promote ticket sales, the Ute Muster team released a short video of just some of the highlights of the 2024 event.
In it, regulars like Amber Lawrence, John Williamson and The Sunny Cowgirls share what they love about our famed event.
For more information about tickets, or how to get your hands on some, go to www.deniutemuster.com.au.
Nav flu outbreak
Less than a week after announcing restrictions due to a COVID-19 outbreak, Navorina Nursing Home went into an influenza A outbreak lockdown last week.
Late Thursday the NSW HEalth Public Health Unit declared the outbreak at Navorina, and staff reported that residents who tested positive were showing only mild symptoms.
On Friday, management confirmed no further cases had been reported and that all the illness had been contained only to the Inala wing.
Strict PPE and testing rules apply, and staff are continuing to monitor for any further signs of the illness.
All visitors to the facility must test in the foyer before entering other parts of the facility, and follow appropriate rules.
Chance to help others
While recycling has been made easier for the community with the introduction of the three bin system in Edward River, those still using the NSW Government Return and Earn system have the chance to do some extra good while recycling.
The Return and Earn initiative allows people to recycle eligible containers for a 10c deposit.
They can choose to take the deposit as a voucher, as payment into a PayPal account, or they can choose to donate their earnings to a partner charity.
One of the partner charities at the moment is Foodbank NSW & ACT.
Foodbank NSW & ACT data shows that 35 per cent of people in Edward River are struggling to put food on the table, and it says using the Return and Earn site behind IGA can help turn recycling into meals for families in the community.
The charity partnership has already raised $100,000 across NSW since November, with an aim to raise $250,000 before the partnership expires on April 20.
So while tossing your recyclables in the bin at home is an easy option, taking the time to Return and Earn could do a lot more good.
Holiday fun continues
The summer school holidays are slowly disappearing, but there’s still time left to enjoy some of the activities around town.
A number of different holiday programs are being held by a number of groups.
One is being hosted by the Edward River Library, at the library in Napier St, Deniliquin.
Today there is both Baby Bounce and a virtual reality session, with other activities over the coming days including LEGO and robot building, checkers fun, learning to play chess, learning to paint and other painting sessions, and even a UNO competition.
You can learn more about each of the sessions - including dates, time and any costs - by going to https://www.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/Community/Library/Whats-On-Library.
Senior journalist