NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Victoria Department of Health reported a case of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus infection in a a woman in her sixties who died in early February.

Image/Peggy_Marco

The case spent time in Buloke Shire and Swan Hill during her acquisition period and likely became infected in early January 2023. This marks the first human case of MVE in Victoria since the last outbreak in 1974.

The risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis (JE), MVE and West Nile (Kunjin) virus infections are high this summer, particularly in northern Victoria where viruses are being detected in mosquitoes. The risk of human cases in the coming weeks is very high.

Taking measures to avoid mosquito bites is critical to protect against infections.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches, although most infected people do not have symptoms. In serious cases, people can develop meningitis or encephalitis which can be fatal.

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