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ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Biosecurity Tasmania confirms Australia's first case of potato mop-top virus on Tasmanian farm
Potato mop-top virus has been found in crops on Tasmania's north-west coast, sparking the launch of an incident response team. The virus, which has never been detected in Australia before, distorts and rots the skin and flesh of potatoes. There are no food safety or human health risks associated with eating potatoes that have the disease. However, the virus can significantly affect yield, meaning it could potentially have large impacts on growers and the agricultural industry. Biosecurity Tasmania's chief plant protection officer Susanna Driessen said the virus was "previously exotic to Australia" and this was the first detection in the country. She said a farmer in north-west Tasmania came forward with a potato they were concerned about earlier this year, which was diagnosed with mop-top virus on July 18. The disease was subsequently found across multiple potato varieties on that farmer's site, but it has not been detected in any further locations. "What we are doing at the moment is … working with the grower to understand where material might have moved and also how material came onto the property," Dr Driessen said. Risk mitigation measures have been put in place to attempt to contain the disease on the affected farm, but no wider restrictions have been placed on the industry. Dr Driessen stressed the virus was a "plant pest" and that there are no risks to human health. PMTV is spread by a soil-borne fungus vector called spongospora subterranea. It can cause significant yield and quality reductions in potatoes and can cause tuber appearance with internal brown rings or arcs. The virus' namesake, mop-top, refers to the stunting of the foliage, one of many symptoms of PMTV. Other symptoms include yellow blotching and yellow V-shaped markings on potato leaves, and sporadic shortening of internodes (the sections of stem between the nodes). While symptoms of PMTV vary depending on the viral strain, infected tubers often display rust-coloured, necrotic arcs, flecks, rings or lines through the tuber flesh, known as spraing. Common external symptoms include cracking and raised necrotic rings and lines. Tuber symptoms may be absent at harvest, but can develop during storage. Tasmania's Minister for Primary Industries, Gavin Pearce — who is a potato farmer on the north-west coast — said an incident management team had been created. Mr Pearce said he was briefed on the detection yesterday and the government was taking it very seriously. "I wanted this dealt with straight away and the department concurred with that," he said. Mr Pearce said Tasmania was known as the "potato capital" of Australia and he intended to "keep it that way". Biosecurity Tasmania has asked farmers to be alert for unusual signs of disease in potato plants and stock, and report any potential diseases to the agency. Tasmania produced the most potatoes in Australia during the 2023/24 season with 479 thousand tonnes of the vegetable grown on the island state, according to the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
The complete Alpha-H skincare routine for 2025
The Australian brand is known for its cult products – including a 'quiet achiever' that gave me the 'bounciest skin of my life'. These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more You know when you fall in love with a skincare product and need to immediately try the rest of the range? That's how I felt when it came to Alpha-H. The Australian-made skincare brand is all about products that give you real results – and while they're known for a few cult-fave products, they have a full skincare range that works exceptionally well for all sorts of skin types and concerns. I've been using five of Alpha-H's best selling products for the past month and I am totally obsessed with how my skin is looking – so naturally, I needed to tell you all about it. You probably know the award-winning brand for its Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment – can you believe one sells every three minutes?! And while that does work wonders, Alpha-H also offers a . Keep on reading to see which one gave me the bounciest skin of my life. MY REVIEW OF THE ALPHA-H SKINCARE ROUTINE Alpha-H Skincare Hyaluronic 8 Super Serum $96.95 at Alpha-H Skincare Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer As a beauty writer and skincare obsessed gal, I've tried hundreds of hyaluronic acid serums – they're the kind of serum you can use day and night, no matter how your skin is feeling. However Alpha-H's Hyaluronic 8 Super Serum is unlike anything I've tried before. It's formulated with a whopping eight multi-weighted hydrating ingredients, as well as a Primalhyal Ultrafiller, to not only leave your skin feeling instantly hydrated, but making sure it lasts too. The serum works hard to bind all the moisture together and really plump your skin, making it look oh so bouncy and juicy. Perfect for all skin types, the silky serum texture soaks straight into the skin and layers beautifully with the rest of my routine. I like to use this morning and night, and I have to say, it's quickly become a staple in my routine. Alpha-H Skincare Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment $76.95 at Alpha-H Skincare Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer Now this isn't the first time I've tried Alpha-H's best selling Liquid Gold Treatment – I used it back in the day when my acne was at its peak, and it really helped to give me a good exfoliation. It's been a few years so it was nice to reintroduce this back into my routine – because wow, it really does work. Appropriately named Liquid Gold, this powerful treatment helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving you with a brighter and smoother complexion. The texture is super lightweight and almost goes on like water – I've been using it about twice a week in my routine, dispensing the product into my palms and pressing it directly into my skin. I then leave it to dry and follow-up with a nourishing and hydrating moisturiser. Check out my skin in the pictures below – it was the morning after using Liquid Gold and I noticed a big difference in the tone and texture of my skin. If you're yet to try this best-selling treatment, this is your sign! Alpha-H Skincare High Tide Water Cream $79.95 at Alpha-H Skincare Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer Okay I know I said the Hyaluronic 8 Super Serum was my favourite, but this comes at a very, very close second. I don't think I've ever tried a moisturiser like this before. The High Tide Water Cream offers the most unique texture – it almost feels like a jelly, yet its so incredibly refreshing on the skin. It absorbs super quickly and leaves you with a 'bouncy' feel that's perfect for all skin types, but even better for those with dry skin. The water-based formula is packed with antioxidant-rich Australian River Mint, plus squalane so you know your skin is going to stay hydrated for a long, long time. Plus I love the colour of it too – it's a minty green and I genuinely look forward to moisturising my face every morning. $69.95 at Alpha-H Skincare Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer I'm very dedicated to my double cleanse routine – removing my makeup with a cleansing balm or oil and then going in with my actual face cleanser to really get in there and clean my face. Thankfully the Melting Moment Cleansing Balm combines the best of both worlds. The balm transforms into a beautiful oil as you work it into the skin, and it's naturally scented with tangerine, yuzu and vanilla. It's also formulated with Australian wild orange leaf, Australian sandalwood seed oil, chamomile and grape seed oil to make sure you skin doesn't feel dry or tight during the cleansing process. And boy does it work! This is one of the most nourishing cleansing balms I've used, and it does an amazing job at getting all the makeup, oil, dirt and grime off your skin. Alpha-H Skincare Balancing Cleanser $56.95 at Alpha-H Skincare Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer This is my least favourite product from the Alpha-H line-up but that's not too say it's a bad product – it's just not the right pick for my skin type. The Balancing Cleanser is an incredibly gentle and hydrating facial cleansers, formulated with both aloe vera and vitamin E. Known for their super soothing and hydrating properties, your skin isn't going to feel dry, tight or stripped of any of its moisture. While it did feel super nourishing on the skin, I did feel like I needed to go in with an additional cleanse afterwards. For my personal skin type, the creamy consistency just didn't feel like it was really getting everything off my skin. But in saying that, if you've got really dry skin or simply just prefer a cream cleanser, this is a perfect pick for you.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Measles warning after Bali traveller returns to Adelaide with highly infectious disease
An Adelaide man has been diagnosed with measles after holidaying in Bali, prompting authorities to warn about a possible spread of the highly contagious infection. Measles is highly infectious and can spread via airborne droplets. SA Health warns anyone who is not fully immunised, and especially those who were in the following locations, to be alert for symptoms over the next few weeks: Kings Park Clinic, 309 Goodwood Rd, Kings Park on August 7 from 12.30pm to 1.15pm; Adelaide Airport on August 5 from 1.30pm to 2.30pm; Flight JQ499 from Gold Coast to Adelaide on August 5 departed at 11am; Flight JQ498 from Adelaide to Gold Coast on August 5 departed at 7.30am; Adelaide Airport on August 5 from 6.15am to 7.45am; Adelaide Airport on August 4 from 6.15pm to 7.15pm; Flight JQ126 from Denpasar to Adelaide on August 4 departed at 11.35am; Flight JQ125 from Adelaide to Denpasar on August 3 departed at 6.15am; and Adelaide Airport on August 3 from 4.45am to 6.15am. Symptoms begin with a fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, followed by a blotchy rash that usually starts on the head then spreads down the body. People should see a doctor if they become ill, but call first so that precautions can be taken to avoid spreading the disease to others. This is the fourth case of measles in South Australia this year. A total of six cases were recorded last year. There has been an increase in measles cases reported in Australia over the past six months, mostly among people who travelled overseas. SA Health advises the best way to avoid measles is vaccination, with two doses needed. Meanwhile, there have been eight cases of locally acquired measles identified in Western Australia in July and August, which were linked to a case in a returned overseas traveller. Measles typically develops about 10 days after being exposed to the virus, but this can vary from seven to 18 days, WA Health warns.
