The NT Department of Health and Families has been notified of a suspect case of Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) in the Darwin region of the Top End.
If confirmed, this would be the second reported case of Murray Valley Encephalitis acquired in the NT this year after a Territory man died of the disease in mid-March.
Murray Valley Encephalitis is a potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Usual symptoms of the disease include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremor and seizures-especially in young children-and in some cases the condition progresses to delirium and coma, leading to paralysis or brain damage. Despite best care, one in four people still die from the disease.
Director of the NT Centre for Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause, said that while people most at risk of Murray Valley Encephalitis are those with no prior exposure to the virus (including babies, young children, and tourists), cases have also been reported in long-term residents.
"About one person in 1,000 bitten by infected mosquitoes will contract the disease, which is caused by a virus carried by the common banded mosquito, Culex annulirostris.
"Taking precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes throughout the Territory and until the end of July is the single most important step in preventing further cases.
"The common banded mosquito breeds in flooded grassy and swamp areas, and high numbers of them can be found during and immediately after the wet season near the longer lasting swamps, creeks, rivers or flooded areas. You can reduce your chances of getting bitten by avoiding these areas particularly just after sundown and for the first two hours of the night," said Dr Krause.
Dr Vicki Krause also advises Territorians to "Wear protective, light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks between dusk and dawn. Use mosquito-proof tents when camping and use a protective repellent containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) or picaridin when outside in mosquito-prone areas.
"There is no need to avoid travel to the risk regions if normal mosquito self-protection is observed," Dr Kraus added.
This year, Western Australia confirmed one case of Murray Valley Encephalitis in Northwest WA.
Media contacts: Darrel Trueman 0401 116 203; Cameron Jackson 0401 116 144
Release date: Friday 15 May 2009