South Australians are being warned to avoid exposure to mosquitoes, following positive tests to the potentially deadly Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus and Kunjin virus during routine monitoring.
SA Health's Director of Health Protection, Michaela Hobby, said several sentinel chickens, which are part of a surveillance flock based at Ramco near Waikerie, tested positive to both Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus (MVEv) and Kunjin virus.
"While mosquito numbers across South Australia have been relatively low this season, this is the first time that sentinel chickens in South Australia have tested positive to these diseases since 2011," Ms Hobby said.
"Although only a few people who become infected with MVEv virus will develop symptoms, in those people do, it can be very serious and is fatal in about 20 per cent of cases. For those who survive, about 40 per cent of cases will suffer permanent neurological damage.
"There is no vaccine and no cure for mosquito borne diseases transmitted in South Australia, and the only way of preventing disease is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
"These recent detections of MVEv and Kunjin Virus are an important reminder for all South Australians to take precautions and Fight the Bite.
"This is particularly important as we head into school holidays and the Easter period.
"To protect against mosquito bites, people should wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and use a repellent which contains DEET or picaridin.
"People should also reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquito proofing their homes and by eliminating potential breeding sites on their properties."
Chickens are a good indicator of mosquito borne disease risk to the community as they readily produce antibodies to viruses which can also infect humans, but don't develop symptoms of those diseases.
Six flocks of sentinel chickens are maintained in strategic locations along the Murray River and are routinely tested for viruses spread by mosquitoes.
