Health officials are warning of the dangers of being around floodwater, including the inevitable large number of mosquitoes.
Those in areas impacted by flooding are advised never to enter, swim or allow children to swim or play in floodwater.
Floodwater can be contaminated by overflowing sewerage or septic systems, farm or industrial waste and other chemicals.
Leptospirosis outbreaks may also occur following heavy rain or floods due to contact with contaminated water.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, coughing and a sore throat.
As waters stagnate, residents in affected areas will also see a surge of mosquitoes in the region as the conditions will be ideal for breeding.
Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of warm, stagnant water.
Residents should remove stagnant water and keep the area around homes well maintained to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
A knockdown fly spray or surface spray can be effective in reducing numbers of adult mosquitoes and the associated risk of being bitten.
To reduce mosquito breeding on larger properties, mosquito control products are readily available from local rural supply and select hardware stores or by engaging the services of a licensed pest controller.
Residents can protect themselves from being bitten by limiting outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long, loose-fitting clothes and applying a mosquito repellent containing picaridin or DEET to exposed skin when outdoors.
For more information regarding protecting yourself from mosquito-borne diseases, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/beat-the-bite