Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is a rare disease in humans caused by the Murray Valley encephalitis virus. This infection has the capacity to cause acute and severe illness in humans and can be fatal.
MVE virus is endemic (always present) in northern Australia (northern Western Australia and the top end of the Northern Territory) and probably in Papua New Guinea, but illness in humans is rare.
Most reported human cases occur in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea, although there have been rare cases from South Australia.
Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is a notifiable condition1
Murray Valley encephalitis is spread from infected animals to humans by mosquito bites. There is no direct person-to-person spread.
Symptoms of Murray Valley encephalitis include:
Many people infected with Murray Valley encephalitis virus have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Mild illness may include symptoms such as fever:
In about 1 in 1000 infected people symptoms worsen, with:
Diagnosis is made by a blood test or detecting the virus in CSF (cerebrospinal fluid: the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)
Usually 7 to 12 days, but can be as short as 5 days or as long as 28 days.
(time during which an infected person can infect others)
There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Infection with Murray Valley encephalitis confers life-long immunity.
There is no specific treatment for Murray Valley encephalitis and no vaccine to prevent infection.
People who are diagnosed with Murray Valley encephalitis are usually very sick and require supportive care in hospital until they recover.
About 20% of people who become ill with severe Murray Valley encephalitis will die. Of those that survive, about 40% have permanent neurological damage such as paralysis or brain damage. Others still may take several months to recover.
1 – In South Australia the law requires doctors and laboratories to report some infections or diseases to SA Health. These infections or diseases are commonly referred to as 'notifiable conditions'.
