SA Health has warned of a potentially deadly virus resulting from mosquito bites in the Riverland area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to SA Health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>
The Department for Health and Wellbeing\u2019s 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.<\/p>
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Dr Jenkins said.<\/p>
\u201cMany people infected with MVEv are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms such as fever, headache and nausea.<\/p>
\u201cAlthough only a few people who become infected with MVEv will develop more serious symptoms which may include confusion, headaches, neck stiffness, tremors, drowsiness and seizures, for those who do, it can be very serious and is fatal in about 20 per cent of cases. For those who survive, about 40 per cent of people will suffer permanent neurological damage.<\/p>
\u201cThere is no vaccine and no cure for mosquito borne diseases transmitted in South Australia, and the only way of preventing disease is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.<\/p>
\u201cTo protect against mosquito borne diseases, we are encouraging people to \u2018fight the bite\u2019 and take precautions such as wearing long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing and use a repellent which contains DEET or picaridin.<\/p>
\u201cPeople should also reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos by proofing their homes and by removing any potential breeding sites on their properties.\u201d<\/p>
As part of SA Health and local council\u2019s mosquito borne disease monitoring program, six flocks of sentinel chickens are maintained in strategic locations along the Murray River in South Australia and are routinely tested for viruses spread by mosquitoes.<\/p>
All other flocks of sentinel chickens based along the Murray have tested negative for these viruses this season to date, however, several chickens in the Ramco flock near Waikerie tested positive to MVEv and KUNv in March 2020.<\/p>
This was the first time that sentinel chickens in South Australia had tested positive to these viruses since 2011.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n