MOSQUITOES carrying Murray Valley encephalitis have been detected in southern and western NSW.
NSW Health issued a warning last week about the virus after it was detected in sentinel chickens near Leeton, Hay and Moama, and also in the Macquarie Marshes in the west of the state.
Holidaymakers along the Murray River, particularly near Echuca- Moama, are being warned to reduce their risks of being bitten by mozzies.
The state's health protection director Dr Jeremy McAnulty said positive MVE readings in chickens were relatively rare in the state.
"The current areas of risk for MVE extends in regions west of the Great Dividing Range and is likely to be highest around rivers and wetlands, especially along the Murray, Darling and Paroo rivers and their tributaries and in recently flooded areas in western NSW," Dr McAnulty said.
Two cases of MVE virus were detected in NSW last year.
Victoria has not had a confirmed case in humans since 1974.
People who contract the virus may suffer severe headache, high fever, tremors, drowsiness and seizures.
Affordable water helps boost jobs
WATER entitlement prices have fallen to $1500 a megalitre in response to the Federal Government's withdrawal from the southern Murray Darling Basin market.
Last month Federal Water Minister Tony Burke pulled the plug on running any more southern basin water tenders until at least 2013, prompting prices to drop from $1800 to $1500.
"It's back to something that's in the order of its economic worth," Tatura Water broker Peter Leahy said.
Victorian Farmers Federation water council chairman Richard Anderson said water was now more affordable, which meant irrigators could expand their operations and create more employment.
New year brings drink-drive counts
A 22-YEAR-OLD driver has lost his licence and had his car impounded after being clocked at 162km\h in a 100km zone.
The Dunkeld man was caught speeding along the Glenelg Highway about 2.20am on New Year's Day.
The driver also returned a 0.22 alcohol reading at the Hamilton police station.
His licence was suspended for 12 months and he is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving, speed dangerous and other traffic offences.
Teens charged on rock throwing
TWO boys have been charged with throwing a rock which injured two people in Ballarat.
Two 20-year-olds were hurt in the attack when rocks slammed through the front windscreen of their car early on Saturday in Sturt St.
Police said one rock smashed through the windscreen and hit the female passenger, fracturing her arm in two places.
A second rock hit the male driver on the side of the head.
A 17-year- old Ballarat boy and a 16-year-old Darwin boy were charged with reckless conduct endangering life, assault with a weapon, intentionally cause serious injury, recklessly cause serious injury, unlawful assault and criminal damage.
Camel rides a popular choice
CAMELS rides are a main holiday activity in Warrnambool over summer.
They are being held along the beach and Lake Pertobe precinct until late January.
The beach rides are at sunrise and sunset and there are shorter rides during the day at Lake Pertobe.
Warrnambool City Council tourism services manager Peter Abbott said the camel rides offered a new element of excitement to Warrnambool's summer activities.
"People of all ages love camel rides and there is something special about a ride along the beach," he said.
Camel hire operator Peter Hodge said a purpose-built loading platform made boarding the camels easier and prevented the need for animals to repeatedly sit and stand during rides.
To book a ride, phone the city's Visitor Information Centre on 1800 637 725.
