AU: Deadly mosquito-borne disease Murray Valley encephalitis back in Victoria

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vi...back-in-victoria/story-e6frf7kx-1226010461500

Deadly mosquito-borne disease Murray Valley encephalitis back in Victoria

* Amelia Harris
* From: Herald Sun
* February 23, 2011 7:00AM

A DEADLY mosquito-borne disease has been detected in north and northwestern Victoria.

The outbreak of Murray Valley encephalitis virus has prompted health officials to warn people in Mildura and Kerang to avoid mosquito bites.

The virus has been detected in chickens, which were placed in the area as a monitor for the disease.

Barmah and Tooleybuc just over the NSW border have also been place on alert...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: AU: Deadly mosquito-borne disease Murray Valley encephalitis back in Victoria

23 February, 2011 11:35AM AEDT
Murray Valley encephalitis detected in chickens - no human cases yet
By Charlotte King
Murray Valley encephalitis has been detected in sentinel chicken flocks in sites along the Murray, including Tooleybuc, Mildura, Robinvale and Barmah - as well as in Kerang. Yet Merbein's Dr John Buckley says there haven't been any human cases reported as yet and that the likelihood of this happening is very rare.
After the 1974 floods in Mildura, the Murray Valley encephalitis virus was contracted by 42 people, 13 of whom died.

With news this week that sentinel chickens in north-west Victoria have contracted the disease, health authorities are on high alert.

...

http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/02/23/3146357.htm?site=riverina