At some point over the past few years there was an internet meme doing the rounds that if COVID or fuel prices hadn't hit you for six, the mozzies would.
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It's no joking matter, of course, but it highlights our tendency to avoid taking things too seriously because, frankly, it can be exhausting otherwise.
However, the story of Dylan Meyer by Anthony Bunn should emphasise why we need to be educated about mosquito-borne viruses and do all we can to avoid them.
Little more than a year after Corowa man David Kiefel died after a three-month battle with Japanese encephalitis, Mr Meyer has opened up on the ordeal that saw him spend more than four months on life support and with an acquired brain injury.
Mr Meyer and his family spoke to The Border Mail ahead of the peak mosquito season after admitting they were gobsmacked that the consequences of bites on exposed skin can be so grim.
"If we can save one or two lives this summer break that's an achievement for us," Dylan's mother Debra Meyer-Saunders said.
Of course, it's impossible for us to live inside 24/7, but we can take measures to protect ourselves, like getting a free vaccine, using repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin and removing stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around your home or campsite.
With limited treatment options for mosquito-borne viruses, it's a clear example of prevention being better than the cure.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
