Murray Valley Encephalitis Deaths Prompt Health Warning

(MENAFN) Two individuals have passed away due to Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) in Alice Springs over the last two months, leading to renewed public health warnings across Australia’s Northern Territory, according to reports from local media on Tuesday.

A representative from the Northern Territory Department of Health verified that the fatalities took place in April and May, but no additional information about the individuals was disclosed, as reported by a news agency. The alert followed the recent identification of the virus in mosquito populations in Darwin earlier this month, which led authorities to issue a public health advisory.

Murray Valley encephalitis is an uncommon yet severe and potentially deadly mosquito-transmitted illness spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. Health authorities explained that infections are most likely to occur between February and June, with the highest number of cases generally seen from March through May.

Symptoms of the disease can include intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, drowsiness, confusion, and seizures. Officials are urging both residents and visitors in the territory to take preventive measures, such as applying insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin, wearing protective clothing, making sure camping tents are properly sealed against mosquitoes, and avoiding areas with high mosquito activity, especially after sunset.

MENAFN19052026000045017167ID1111136324