Grey nomads and other travellers heading up to WA’s Kimberley region are being urged to protect themselves against mosquito bites, following the first Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) detection in the region this year.
The state’s Department of Health warning follows MVE virus being found in sentinel chicken flocks in the east Kimberley during the wet season. Sentinel chickens are used to monitor and provide an early warning system for mosquito-borne virus activity.
WA Health’s Managing Scientist – Biological Hazards Dr Andrew Jardine said that Murray Valley encephalitis virus was only transmitted by mosquitoes.
“While the risk of being infected and becoming unwell is low, the illness caused by the virus can be severe and even fatal,” he said. “The only effective protection against infection is to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
Mosquitoes can pose a serious health threat. PIC: Jimmy Chan / Pexels
MVE virus activity occurs in the Kimberley region in most years following wet season rainfall and can also occur in the Pilbara region in some years.
While there have been no human cases of MVE reported in WA in 2023, the NT and Victoria recently issued public health alerts due to deaths in those jurisdictions.
Initial symptoms of MVE include fever, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, nausea and dizziness.
“People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice as soon as possible,” Dr Jardine said. “In severe cases, people may experience seizures, lapse into a coma, be left with permanent brain damage or die.”
Dr Jardine said that recent significant rainfall and flooding in the Kimberley had created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes across extensive seasonal wetlands, increasing the risk of being exposed to MVE and a range of other local mosquito-borne viruses.
“In addition to local mosquito-borne virus activity, there is the possibility that Japanese encephalitis virus may also become active in WA,” he said. “It is now more important than ever to take measures to prevent mosquito bites.”
For more information about mosquito prevention, click here.
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