Murray Valley encephalitis in Western Australia

This article published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Volume 22 Number 4, 16 April 1998, contains case report on Murray Valley encephalitis in a young male in Western Australia.

Page last updated: 16 April 1998

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A case of Murray Valley encephalitis has been diagnosed in a young male from Western Australia who is now recovering in hospital. The evidence of infection has also been detected in sentinel chickens in Wyndham in the north east of the State. Only one or two out of every 1,000 persons infected with the virus develop serious disease. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and convulsions. No specific treatment is available. Local residents and visitors have been reminded to avoid mosquito bites by wearing loose fitting clothing, using insect repellent, and ensuring that fly screens on houses and caravans are in working order.

This article was published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Vol 22 No 4, 16 April 1998.