Thursday 15 April 2010
No further details of the current suspect case will be available until further test results are concluded.
This suspect case follows two cases of MVE last year and this week's evidence of the start of the seasonal MVE activity obtained from results from sentinel chickens in Tennant Creek, Jabiru, and Nathan River that were bled in February and March.
Kunjin virus activity has also been reported in the north-west of WA at Halls Creek, which signals the start of the seasonal mosquito borne virus risk in WA. There are also a continuing number of cases of Ross River and Barmah Forest virus disease in various areas in the NT.
MVE is the most dangerous mosquito borne disease in the NT. Usual symptoms of MVE 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, 25% of people die from the infection and at least 25% will have residual neurological effects.
Kunjin virus causes a disease with high fever, headache, muscle pain, lethargy and/or rash, but more serious complications such as encephalitis are very rare.
Mr Whelan Senior Medical Entomologist with DHF said that people should be taking appropriate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes across the entire NT including Central Australia until the end of July, when virus activity is expected to return to a minimum.
This warning particularly applies to people visiting or living in rural areas and smaller communities within five kilometres of large coastal and sub-coastal flood plains and swamps and in seasonally flooded coastal and inland areas associated with creeks and rivers. People more at risk will include campers, babies and young children who reside near problem areas or visit parks and recreation areas where mosquitoes may be active" While tourists and people new to the NT can be more at risk, cases have been also been reported in long-term residents. People experiencing the early symptoms of MVE should seek urgent medical attention.
"The important message is to take every precaution to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Recognise areas that are prone to have high biting activity, such as within 2 to 5 km of wet season flooded and swamp areas, and the longer lasting swamps, creeks, rivers or wetland areas", said Mr Whelan.
"You can reduce your chances of getting bitten by avoiding the problem areas during the night, and protecting against mosquitoes, particularly just after sundown and for the first two hours of the night. Use all appropriate protective measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. If camping, choose your campsite wisely. Self protection is the single most important step in preventing further cases."
People are advised to wear protective, light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks between dusk and dawn. Use mosquito-proof tents when camping. Choose protective repellent containing diethyl-toluamide (DEET) or picaridin when outside in mosquito-prone areas.
DHF's medical entomology team reports the common banded mosquito numbers are up in the Top End to Barkly region, with particular pest problems in parts of the Barkly from the floodwater Aedes mosquito. Both species are vectors or suspect vectors of all the above viruses.
Media contact: Jasmine Featherstone 0401 116 144
Centre for Disease Control contact: 8922 8888
Peter Whelan, Senior Medical Entomologist - for mosquito information
Dr Vicki Krause, Director for Centre of Disease Control - for medical information
