Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus has detected in mosquitos in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia, locals and travellers are warned to beware.
This is the first time in a year MVE found in mosquitos and sentinel chickens.
Last year also the region experienced slew of MVE cases, including two in children, one of which was fatal.
Early symptoms of MVE include: fever, drowsiness, headache, stiff neck, nausea, and dizziness. However, in young children, fever might be the only early sign of disease.
In severe cases, people may experience fits, lapse into a coma, be left with permanent brain damage or die.
People experiencing these symptoms should seek urgent medical advice.
People are advised to take the measures to avoid mosquito bites for better health.
Other than this infection, mosquitoes have also been pinpointed as the cause of a spike in Ross River virus cases in the same region.