Traveller dies after contracting Murray Valley Encephalitis in WA
The person was exposed to infected mosquitoes while travelling through the Kimberley. (Supplied: WA Health)
In short:
One person has died after contracting a rare mosquito-borne illness in Western Australia's north.
It is understood the person was exposed to a mosquito infected with Murray Valley Encephalitis last month while travelling in the Kimberley.
What's next?
The health department is encouraging all residents and visitors to the Kimberley and Pilbara to protect themselves against the insects.
The Western Australia Health Department has confirmed one person has died after contracting a rare mosquito-borne virus while travelling in the state's north.
A department spokesperson said it was likely the adult was exposed to Murray Valley Encephalitis in the West Kimberley, about 2,000 kilometres north of Perth.
It is the first reported death from the virus in WA this year.
Health Department managing scientist Andrew Jardine said it was believed the person was infected in early May.
"That's where it was likely acquired and then [the person] was transferred down to a hospital in Perth, where they sadly passed away recently," he said.
"It can be a number of weeks until symptoms develop.
Andrew Jardine says anyone showing symptoms of the virus should seek medical attention. (Supplied: WA Health)
"Early to mid-May would be the most likely exposure time, but that is probably indicating that there is still a virus risk there even now."
Complications rare
Murray Valley Encephalitis is endemic to WA's north and is transferred to humans through infected mosquitoes.
There is no vaccine.
While serious complications are rare, the disease can lead to a brain infection, potentially triggering lifelong symptoms.
Dr Jardine said some people may not show symptoms at all.
"It's a strange virus in that a lot of people do get it and won't have symptoms or very, very mild symptoms," he said.
"Quite rarely ... you can get this very serious encephalitis, which is swelling on the brain that can cause brain damage or result in death."
Dr Jardine said anyone showing signs of the virus, or other mosquito-borne viruses such Japanese encephalitis, should seek medical advice.
"If you get serious encephalitis, [symptoms can include] swelling, headache, but then confusion, dizziness, nausea, neck stiffness, any of that," he said.
Murray Valley Encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes. (Flickr: Oregon State University)
Tourist surge in WA's north
As thousands of tourists make their way to northern Australia over the coming months to escape the winter, residents and travellers are being urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Dr Jardine said the risk of contracting Murray Valley Encephalitis was higher during and after the Kimberley and Pilbara's wet season, but it could extend into July.
WA Health is urging all residents and travellers to protect themselves from mosquitoes. (ABC News: Charlie Mclean)
“The wet season in northern WA and the period immediately after it are the highest risk time for mosquito‑borne virus activity,” he said.
"Once you get beyond that period in the dry season, most of the mosquitoes are gone.
"Even if the mosquitoes are not new ones coming through, there could be ones that have been flying around for a week or two that may have acquired Murray Valley Encephalitis that could still be infecting people for another few weeks yet."
Mosquito surveillance
The Department of Health's sentinel chicken and mosquito surveillance programs have detected the virus and other flavivirus activity since the beginning of the year.
The wet season is when the risk of Murray Valley Encephalitis is highest in northern WA. (Supplied: WA Health)
The sentinel chickens are based across various locations in the Kimberley and Pilbara, with blood tests taken from the animals and sent to laboratories to test the presence pf mosquito-borne diseases.
"It is a bit of a scary disease if you get it and it's far better to just avoid acquiring it in the first place by avoiding mosquito bites," Dr Jardine said.