AU: 2023 Murray Valley encephalitis

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Source: https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Media-r...mberley-region



01 August 2022
Murray Valley encephalitis warning for Kimberley region

Residents and travellers in the Kimberley region are being urged to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites after Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) was reported in an individual residing in the West Kimberley.

Department of Health Acting Managing Scientist, Craig Brockway, said this was the first human case of MVE reported in Western Australia since 2018. The patient is now recovering.

“Murray Valley encephalitis virus is carried by mosquitoes, and while the risk of being infected and becoming unwell is low, the illness caused by the virus can be severe or even fatal,” he said.

The virus has also been detected in sentinel chicken flocks at locations throughout the Kimberley region this year, most recently in June, indicating that the virus is active within the environment. The chickens are part of an early warning program for activity of MVE virus undertaken by the Department of Health, PathWest and local governments...

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Source: https://www.riverineherald.com.au/ne...phalitis-case/

Possible local connection to encephalitis case
Mar 1, 2023

A man in his 60s has been diagnosed with Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus, with Edward River Council listed as one of the potential transmission sites.

The infection was likely acquired in January this year.

He may have also been exposed to infected mosquitoes in the Temora Shire or Murrumbidgee Council areas.

The Riverina infection is the first case of MVE in NSW this mosquito season, and the first confirmed transmission of the virus in the state since 2011...

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Source: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023...e-in-victoria/

12:05am, Mar 7, 2023
Murray Valley encephalitis claims second life in Victoria

A second woman has died from Murray Valley encephalitis and a man is in hospital with the virus as more suspected cases are investigated.

A woman in her sixties died in late February and a man in his seventies is receiving treatment in hospital, Victoria’s health department says.

It follows the death of a woman in her 60s who lived in the Buloke Shire in the state’s north-west in early February.

A total of three cases of the virus and two deaths have been reported in Victoria this mosquito season...

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Source: https://www.portnews.com.au/story/81...-encephalitis/

Third Victorian dies from Murray Valley encephalitis
By Tara Cosoleto
Updated March 13 2023 - 11:38pm, first published 11:36pm

A third Victorian has died from the mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis virus.

The man aged in his 70s died earlier this month after potentially being exposed to infectious mosquitoes in the northern Campaspe Shire, the health department confirmed on Tuesday...

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Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/P...230327_00.aspx

Second case of Murray Valley encephalitis detected in NSW this season
27 March 2023

Communities on the NSW and Victorian border are reminded to protect themselves against mosquito bites following confirmation of a second case of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus infection in NSW.

The virus was detected in a man in his 50s from Hilltops LGA. It is the first time MVE has been identified in this region. The man was infected between late January and mid-February 2023, and was most likely exposed to the virus at home but had exposures across southern NSW, including as far east as the Shoalhaven. The man was admitted to hospital but has now been discharged.

NSW's first case of the mosquito season, announced in February, was identified in a man in his 60s, who was potentially exposed to infected mosquitoes in the Temora Shire, Edward River Shire or Murrumbidgee Council areas...

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Source: https://www.news.com.au/national/wes...df5abe1a530b61

Murray Valley encephalitis: West Kimberley child dies of ‘very rare’ case of mosquito-borne disease
The child, from Western Australia, was flown to a Perth hospital for treatment for the ‘very rare’ virus but tragically couldn’t be saved.
Caitlyn Rintoul
April 1, 2023 - 10:58AM

A child from Western Australia has died of Murray Valley encephalitis, in a “very rare” case of the mosquito-borne disease not seen in the state since 2018.

The West Kimberley child had been flown to a Perth hospital for treatment but couldn’t be saved, according to Perth Now.

WA Health has issued a warning to the northern area, which has been identified as a risk hotspot after the Kimberly floods.

Communicable Disease Control director Dr Paul Armstrong said the case follows recent MVE virus detections in mosquitoes and chickens in parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions as part of a surveillance program.

The child’s infection marks the second case of MVE reported in WA since 2018, and eight nationally reported in 2023.

There have been more than half a dozen deaths from nearly 50 cases of Japanese encephalitis nationally since January 2021 - with the majority of cases occurring in 2022...

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Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/P...230406_01.aspx

Two more cases of Murray Valley encephalitis detected in NSW
06 April 2023

Communities in regional NSW are again being urged to protect themselves against mosquito bites this Easter holiday period following confirmation of two further cases of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus infection in NSW.

These two latest cases are in addition to MVE cases previously identified in February and March, bringing the total number of cases to four for the season. MVE cases have also recently been identified in border communities in Victoria, including among people who may have exposures in NSW.

The virus has been detected in a man in his 20s from Federation LGA, who was infected between mid-February and early March 2023. He was most likely exposed to the virus either while at work in Federation Shire, or while camping in Indigo Shire in Victoria. He remains admitted to hospital.

The virus has been detected in a man in his 60s from Leeton Shire LGA, who was infected in March 2023 and was most likely exposed to the virus around home and his local area. He remains admitted to hospital...

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Source: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Media-r...se-found-in-WA

08 May 2023
Mosquito warning as new Murray Valley encephalitis case found in WA

A new case of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) has been confirmed in Western Australia.

The adult was potentially exposed to infected mosquitoes while travelling in the West Kimberley and the Northern Territory.

This is the third confirmed case of MVE reported in WA since 2018 (with two of the cases this year). Nationally, there have been 13 cases of MVE reported so far in 2023.

Department of Health Managing Scientist Dr Andrew Jardine said the new case followed recent MVE virus detections in mosquitoes and sentinel chickens across the north of the State and sadly, the death of a WA child from MVE in March...

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Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-...year/102338408

Infant dies from Murray Valley encephalitis in the Northern Territory's Big Rivers region
Posted 12h Aug
12 hours ago

The second death in the Northern Territory from Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) this year and a sharp rise in cases of the disease has prompted health officials to reissue a warning for people to protect themselves and their children from mosquitoes.

MVE can be deadly in up to 30 percent of cases, according to NT Health, and occurs after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the MVE virus.

The public health alert follows a death in the Big Rivers region, where officials say two infants, including the fatal case, contracted the disease recently.

The Big Rivers region spans 25 per cent of the Northern Territory's land area, it's northernmost border sitting about 200 kilometers south of Darwin and stretching far to the south, east and west...

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Source: https://arr.news/2023/06/08/public-h...tis-nt-health/

Public health alert – Murray Valley encephalitis: NT Health
Media Release, 7 June 2023

The Northern Territory (NT) is currently experiencing an outbreak of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), with 7 confirmed cases this year, including 2 deaths. This is the highest number of cases ever recorded in a single year and compares to 2 cases over the previous 5 years across the Territory.

The 7 cases of MVE acquired in the NT to date in 2023 include 2 in the Big Rivers region, both in young infants, 3 in the Barkly region, and 2 in the Top End region.

The most recent case of MVE was recently admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital and remains in a critical condition. The infection was likely acquired while the patient was travelling to recreational areas in the Top End region during April and May.

Following the rise in MVE cases, NT Health is urging Territorians and visitors to the NT to protect themselves and children from mosquito bites....

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Source: http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_th...t_92296618.htm

Western Australia issues warning over Murray Valley encephalitis after traveler infected
Xinhua, July 14, 2023

SYDNEY, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The health department of Western Australia (WA) state on Friday issued a warning over Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) in the Kimberley region, as an infected traveler is currently staying in hospital for treatment.

"The Department of Health is urging residents and travelers in the Kimberley region to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites following unseasonal rainfall and ongoing human cases of the mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) in the region," the authority said in a statement.

It also noted that the state records its worst season for the virus in 12 years.

According to the statement, two people lost their lives to the disease earlier this year. Four others have been infected in the Kimberley region over the last 12 months, with the most recent case confirmed in late June...