Health warning as deadly disease spreads to new part of Australia

Easter travelers and locals have been warned to protect themselves against a potentially deadly disease circulating in Western Australia.

Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) has been detected in sentinel mosquitoes and chickens in the Kimberley region for the first time this year.

WA Health is urging residents and visitors to protect themselves from mosquito bites as EVD is a serious and potentially fatal disease.

The warning comes after significant EVD activity in the area last year resulted in the death of a child.

Symptoms include fever, drowsiness, headache, neck stiffness, nausea and dizziness, although a fever may be the only sign of early infection in children.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.

Chief scientist Andrew Jardine said many people were bitten while fishing or camping.

He encouraged people to carry effective repellent.

“The Ross River and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses are spread only by mosquitoes, so the message is simple: protect yourself from bites,” Dr Jardine said.

“Although the risk of becoming infected and becoming ill is low, the illness caused by the virus can be serious in some cases.”

Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and early evening, so people are encouraged to stay indoors at these times.

Long, loose, light-colored clothing is also recommended, while babies and children should also be dressed in appropriate clothing, including socks and shoes.

Mosquito nets for beds and strollers are also encouraged, as well as mosquito nets on homes and caravans and the use of effective mosquito repellents containing diethyloluamide, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus (also known as the name of PMD).

Keeping grass and other vegetation short is another way to keep mosquitoes away from homes.

This comes as other mosquito-borne diseases have been reported in the region, including an increase in human cases of Ross River Virus (RRV) and an increase in detections in mosquitoes.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) was also detected in Washington state last year and remains a potential risk in northern Washington.

JE is preventable by vaccination, unlike EVD and RRV.