An outbreak of the potentially debilitating Ross River virus in Victoria has continued to worsen, with authorities warning that another 155 people have been infected

Last week the state's chief health officer issued a warning about unusually high numbers of infections, noting that there had been 857 recorded case since January 1

This week that tally has climbed again, to 1012.

The spread comes after heavy rainfall and warm weather across Victoria, which has created ideal breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that carry the virus.