Mosquitoes carrying the potentially deadly Murray Valley encephalitis disease have been reported in the Darling River town of Menindee, according to Australia s New South Wales health service, with the department warning on January 11 that the virus has no vaccine.
Living on a rural property in outer Perth, Megan Newman has had her fair share of mozzie bites.
In fact, the southern suburb of Karnup where she lives is notorious for its plagues of mosquitos that come and go, tormenting locals as they breed cycle after cycle on vacant lots and in the nearby Serpentine River.
But what Ms Newman didn t know was how debilitating a bite from the wrong mozzie could be.
Then, in March last year, just as the coronavirus crisis was gripping the world, she suddenly fell ill. We were building a little feed shed for my daughter s horses down the back of the property and on that day we absolutely got smashed by mozzies, Ms Newman said.
Health officials have warned South Australians to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.
The Department for Health and Wellbeing said the potentially deadly Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus and Kunjin virus was detected during routine monitoring.
Health Protection and Licensing Services (HPLS) said a sentinel chicken, one of five in a surveillance flock based near Meningie, has tested positive to both Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus (MVEv) and Kunjin virus
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File photo: South Australians are warned to avoid exposure to mosquitoes, following the detection of the potentially deadly Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus and Kunjin virus during routine monitoring.(iStock) We know there has been an increase in the number of mosquitoes present along the Murray River this season, HPLS acting executive director Dr Fay Jenkins said.
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Riverland mosquito warning South Australians are warned to avoid exposure to mosquitoes, following the detection of the potentially deadly Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus and Kunjin virus during routine monitoring.
The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Acting Executive Director of Health Protection and Licensing Services, Dr Fay Jenkins, said a sentinel chicken, one of five chickens in a surveillance flock based near Meningie, has tested positive to both Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus (MVEv) and Kunjin virus.
“We know there has been an increase in the number of mosquitoes present along the Murray River this season, however, the detection of MVEv and Kunjin virus is an even stronger reminder for all South Australians to be vigilant in their fight against mosquito bites across the State,” Dr Jenkins said.