Murray Valley encephalitis: West Kimberley child dies of ‘very rare’ case of mosquito-borne disease

The child, from Western Australia, was flown to a Perth hospital for treatment for the ‘very rare’ virus but tragically couldn’t be saved.

Initial symptoms include fever, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, nausea and dizziness, and in severe case.

A child from Western Australia has died of Murray Valley encephalitis, in a “very rare” case of the mosquito-borne disease not seen in the state since 2018.

The West Kimberley child had been flown to a Perth hospital for treatment but couldn’t be saved, according to Perth Now.

WA Health has issued a warning to the northern area, which has been identified as a risk hotspot after the Kimberly floods.

Communicable Disease Control director Dr Paul Armstrong said the case follows recent MVE virus detections in mosquitoes and chickens in parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions as part of a surveillance program.

The child’s infection marks the second case of MVE reported in WA since 2018, and eight nationally reported in 2023.

There have been more than half a dozen deaths from nearly 50 cases of Japanese encephalitis nationally since January 2021 - with the majority of cases occurring in 2022.

Dr Armstrong said significant rainfall and flooding had created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and the risk this year may be higher than in previous years.

We urge these communities to do everything they can to protect themselves against mosquito bites as there is no vaccination or specific treatment for Murray Valley encephalitis, he said.

“In young children, a fever might be the only early sign of infection.

There have been more than half a dozen deaths from nearly 50 cases of Japanese encephalitis nationally since January 2021

“Parents should see their doctor or local health service if concerned, particularly if their child experiences drowsiness, floppiness, irritability, poor feeding, or general distress.

WA Health is also monitoring other mosquito-borne infections in the area including Japanese encephalitis and Kunjin viruses.

There have been more than half a dozen deaths from nearly 50 cases of Japanese encephalitis nationally since January 2021 - with the majority of cases occurring in 2022.

Japanese encephalitis was first detected in the Pilbara in February after the surveillance program found the disease in a Newman chicken flock.

While the risk of being infected and becoming unwell is low, the illness caused by MVE can be severe and even fatal, Dr Armstrong said.

Initial symptoms include fever, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, nausea and dizziness, and in severe case.

Initial symptoms include fever, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, nausea and dizziness, and in severe cases, people may have seizures, lapse into a coma or be left with permanent brain damage.

People are urged to cover up while outside and wear loose, long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing particularly at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active to avoid being bitten.

This story was originally published on Perth Now and is reproduced with permission.