Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus

Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) is a zoonotic flavivirus endemic to northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. It is the causal agent of Murray Valley encephalitis (previously known as Australian encephalitis), and in humans can cause permanent neurological disease or death.

The majority of MVEV infections do not produce disease symptoms, although some people may experience a mild form of the disease with symptoms such as fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Only a very small number of these cases go on to develop MVE. Following infection, a person will have lifelong immunity to the virus.*

Vector insects

Culex annulirostris

MVEV is a mosquito-borne virus that is maintained in a bird-mosquito-bird cycle. Human infection occurs only through bites from infected mosquitoes; the virus cannot be transmitted from person to person.

*Source: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/murray-valley-encephalitis.aspx