Something is fishy at Nagambie

Lake Nagambie

Health authorities said six people suffered a gastrointestinal illness from consuming redfin caught on the Goulburn Weir Pool.

The lake is a popular fishing and boating area 125km north of Melbourne.

Symptoms of the illness which has struck down an boy, 11, and five people aged between 66 and 85 included vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and numbness in the fingers and feet.

Nagambie tourist operators hope health authorities can quickly find the cause of the illness, which has been linked to the large expanse of water along the Goulburn River, a major tributary of the Murray River, and includes Lake Nagambie.

Victorias chief health officer Dr John Carnie said the six ill people had recovered.

The Human Services Department was investigating the cause of the illness and would test fish from the area, Dr Carnie said.

“Until a possible cause is found we would recommend that people not eat fish caught in the Goulburn Weir Pool including Lake Nagambie,” he said.

There was no evidence there was an issue with the regions water supply, and there were no blue-green algal blooms in the lake or river, Dr Carnie said.

Nagambie tourist information centre co-ordinator Mr Stephen Schwer said he felt sure the investigation would be resolved quickly, in the lead-up to the annual Christmas break.

“Im not too concerned,” he said.

“These things sort themselves out and Im confident they will find the problem.”

A lot of businesses relied heavily on the summer trade and would be keen for a resolution well before Christmas, he said.

“The area is really popular with water skiers, canoeists, rowers and jet-skiers.

“The population swells significantly in summer.”

Nagambie Lakes Motel owner Mr Mick Kiker said he did not believe the warning would affect summer trade if the source of the illness was found soon.

“At least the drinking water is safe,” he said.