While no human cases of either virus has been reported in WA since 2011, evidence of the viruses has now been detected in sentinel chicken flocks, which are used as an early warning system for virus activity. Health authorities in western Australia have warned residents and travellers to Kimberley to avoid mosquito ##es 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 bird nests , which are used as an early warning system for virus activity .
Health authorities in western Australia have warned residents and travellers to Kimberley to avoid mosquito ##es 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 bird nests , which are used as an early warning system for virus activity .