Global Biosecurity (Aug 2023)
2023 Murray Valley Encephalitis outbreak in Australia
Abstract
In January 2023, an outbreak of Murray Valley Encephalitits (MVE) was reported on January 16, 2023. Cases have subsequently been detected in Victoria (VIC)1, Northern Territory (NT)4, New South Wales (NSW)5, and Western Australia (WA), Australia. with 9 confirmed cases and 3 deaths as of April 6, 2023. This marks the first human case of MVE in Victoria since the last outbreak in 1974 and the first ever reported cases in NSW. Significant weather patterns throughout 2022 are thought to have contributed to the resurgance of MVEV. People of all ages are affected by MVE and those frequenting inland riverine regions, extending up towards the Murray River may be at increased risk of infection. This watching brief serves to inform on the increased transmission of MVE across Australia in 2023.
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