NEWS DESK
Shire mozzie traps to help ulcer research A SIX-MONTH mosquito trapping program is being conducted by Mornington Peninsula Shire to help eradicate the Buruli ulcer. The measure is part the shire’s $20,000 in-kind support towards the federal government’s $1.5 million research program to help control and better understand the disease. The study is being carried out by researchers from the shire, Melbourne University, Barwon Health and the Department of Health and Human Services. They will look into how the bacterial infection is transferred from the environment to humans. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the shire was committed to continuing its research into the ulcer and controlling the disease in the community. “The shire has been supporting research into the spread of Buruli ulcer by conducting a mosquito trapping program for over six months,” he said. “The shire will continue to monitor and survey mosquitos throughout the peninsula to find areas [that are] mostly affected, need intervention and to learn more about this disease. “The shire will also continue to raise
awareness of this disease to ensure our community is well informed and protected.” The bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans is found naturally in the environment. It is not known how humans become infected, although it is thought mosquitoes have a role in its transmission. Buruli ulcer has been a notifiable condition in Victoria since 2004, with a steady increase in cases on both the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas. Early detection is important. Protect yourself from potential sources of infection, such as allowing soil to get into cuts and also insect bites. Simple steps to protect yourself include using a picaridin or DEET-based insect repellent, covering cuts, washing and covering any scratches received outdoors, wearing gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts and trousers when gardening, and preventing mosquitoes from breeding near the home. The ulcer gets bigger over time, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important. If you are concerned seek medical advice. Stephen Taylor
Phone scam warning Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A PHONE scammer who nearly tricked a Mornington man into handing over his credit card details and paying a bogus $98 “fee” has him hopping mad. Sick of late-night charity and ‘survey’ calls, Wilson Golby applied to be added to the Do Not Call register and was told it may take some time to implement. The register is a free service which can be used to block home, mobile or fax numbers from unsolicited telemarketing calls. On Tuesday last week Mr Golby took a call from a man who referred to his application to join the register, saying he could complete the process quickly over the phone. “The man had a pleasant manner and was very chatty and I was being lulled along until he asked me if I had my credit card details ready as it would incur a one-off charge of $98,” Mr Golby said. “I began to think that this may have been OK simply because of the convenience I would have without those unwanted calls – but then I recalled that the service was supposed to be free and backed off a bit. “The man went on, saying that I must have a credit card or how else was I paying my Telstra bill but then I got even more suspicious, thinking ‘How does he know I have a Telstra account?’” Backtracking, Mr Golby told the man he always paid by cheque at the post office and that he really didn’t have a credit card and then … click: the phone went dead. The man had hung up. “I thought: ‘Got him!’ Calling Scam Watch afterwards to complain, Mr Golby was told: “Oh, we know all about that scam”. “I said that if they knew all about it then why
Be alert: Wilson Golby warns phone users to beware of bogus callers wanting credit card details. Picture: Gary Sissons
weren’t they telling people? Surely it’s their job to tell people about things like this.” After making further inquiries, Mr Golby was told that “all information is for sale” – meaning the personal and financial details of virtually everyone can, potentially, be accessed by criminals. Warnings about the scam appear on the Do Not Call Register’s website. Their message is: “Don’t fall for this scam! If you receive a call asking for payment to stay on the register, hang up.” That’s good advice. But Mr Golby would like to know how the scammer was able to get his number from the federal government-backed organisation in the first place. “I’d also like to know what they are going to do about it?” The Do Not Call Register was contacted for comment.
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Southern Peninsula News 8 May 2018
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