Date issued: 30 March 2023 (update to alert issued 6 March 2023)
Issued by: Dr Mihaela Ivan, Acting Deputy Chief Health Officer – Communicable Diseases
Issued to: Health professionals and Victorian community
Key messages
- The risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis (JE), Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and West Nile (Kunjin) virus infections remains high this mosquito season.
- Residents and people visiting northern Victoria, particularly inland riverine regions and near the Murray River, are at higher risk of infection and are strongly advised to take measures to protect against mosquito bites.
- Human cases of MVE continue to be reported in Victoria. Up-to-date information on human cases of mosquito-borne diseases and virus detections in mosquitoes can be found at Mosquito-borne diseases.
- Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches, although most infected people do not have symptoms. People with severe infection can develop encephalitis or meningitis which can be fatal.
- Anyone with symptoms should seek urgent medical care.
- Vaccines to protect against JE are available for eligible people in high-risk areas of northern Victoria.
- Clinicians should test for JE virus and MVE virus in patients with a compatible illness and notify the Department of Health of suspected cases immediately by calling 1300 651 160.
- Read the full alert: Update on Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis in Victoria.