Health authorities in western Australia have warned residents and travellers to Kimberley to avoid mosquito bites due to confirmed detection of the Kunjin virus (a subtype of the West Nile Virus) and several probable cases of the Murray Valley encephalitis virus, which can cause permanent neurological disease or death. Confirmation of the latter virus is pending the results of further tests. The Department of Agriculture has advised that people who are travelling from areas where mosquitoes may be present should take precautions such as wearing long sleeves when outside during the day, covering up with clothing if possible, using
Health authorities in western Australia have warned residents and travellers to Kimberley to avoid mosquito bites due to confirmed detection of the Kunjin virus (a subtype of the West Nile Virus) and several probable cases of the Murray Valley encephalitis virus, which can cause permanent neurological disease or death. Confirmation of the latter virus is pending the results of further tests. While no human cases of either virus had been reported in the region since 2011, evidence of them has been found in sentinel chicken flocks, which are used as an early warning system for virus activity.