Health authorities are warning the public to take care avoiding mosquito bites for the second summer in a row, after detecting Murray Valley Encephalitis in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. 

The disease is generally present in northern Australia, but its spread southwest is renewing concerns about the risk of infection.  

The Wire spoke with an expert to find out more about the risk of infection with the virus, and how to best protect mosquito bites.  

To find out more information about the virus and for links to state public health authorities, click here. 

Image: Mosquito-borne viruses are a risk to humans in Australia. Image courtesy of Cameron Webb.

Produced By: Cassie Taylor

Featured In Story: Cameron Webb, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and Principal Health Scientist at NSW Health Pathology

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 19 January 2023