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cent in children, but the length of residence in the Ord River area was an important determinant, with those who had lived in the area fewer than three years having a lower incidence (26 per cent) than those who had lived in the area for more than three years (64 per cent) (Liehne et al. 1976c). Thus these early results demonstrated that the mosquito density and bird numbers had increased since the establishment of the Ord River irrigation project, particularly around the diversion dam and Lake Kununurra, that the major mosquito vector of MVE virus was the predominant species Culex annulirostris, and that MVE virus was actively circulating in the area. However, the serological results must be treated with caution as the HI test cannot differentiate clearly between MVE and Kunjin viruses, and therefore a number of seroconversions may have been due to infection with the latter. Nevertheless, the results suggested that MVE virus may have become enzootic in the Ord River irrigation area. A single case of Australian encephalitis occurred in Kununurra in 1974; this was the last case of the 1974 epidemic that affected all Australian mainland states (Table 8.1). The first cases to be reported in the Northern Territory also occurred during the 1974 epidemic. 8.3.2 Studies carried out between 1977 and 1995 The early studies between 1972 and 1976 laid the foundation for the more detailed investigations of MVE virus ecology in north-western Australia that have been undertaken over the past twenty years. These investigations became increasingly important as cases of Australian encephalitis became more frequent, particularly with respect to surveillance methodology to enable early warnings to be given of impending epidemic activity and to understand the spread and possible persistence of the virus. In addition, the apparently ideal conditions for arboviral ecology in the Ord River irrigation area have made it essential to monitor for possible incursant mosquito vector species and viruses that could potentially become established in the region. Improved methods for mosquito collection, virus isolation, and antibody detection have been introduced over the past twenty years, which have allowed a more accurate picture to emerge of the ecology of MVE virus and a more effective surveillance system to be established to provide an early warning of increased virus activity. Human cases of Australian encephalitis, surveillance for virus activity, virus isolations, factors affecting mosquito populations, and virus spread and persistence are discussed below. Human encephalitis cases Increasing numbers of Australian encephalitis cases have occurred in Western Australia and the Northern Territory since 1977 (Mackenzie and Broom 1995; Mackenzie et al. 1993a; Smith et al. 1993). Indeed the majority of cases reported in Australia since 1977, thirty of
DOI link for cent in children, but the length of residence in the Ord River area was an important determinant, with those who had lived in the area fewer than three years having a lower incidence (26 per cent) than those who had lived in the area for more than three years (64 per cent) (Liehne et al. 1976c). Thus these early results demonstrated that the mosquito density and bird numbers had increased since the establishment of the Ord River irrigation project, particularly around the diversion dam and Lake Kununurra, that the major mosquito vector of MVE virus was the predominant species Culex annulirostris, and that MVE virus was actively circulating in the area. However, the serological results must be treated with caution as the HI test cannot differentiate clearly between MVE and Kunjin viruses, and therefore a number of seroconversions may have been due to infection with the latter. Nevertheless, the results suggested that MVE virus may have become enzootic in the Ord River irrigation area. A single case of Australian encephalitis occurred in Kununurra in 1974; this was the last case of the 1974 epidemic that affected all Australian mainland states (Table 8.1). The first cases to be reported in the Northern Territory also occurred during the 1974 epidemic. 8.3.2 Studies carried out between 1977 and 1995 The early studies between 1972 and 1976 laid the foundation for the more detailed investigations of MVE virus ecology in north-western Australia that have been undertaken over the past twenty years. These investigations became increasingly important as cases of Australian encephalitis became more frequent, particularly with respect to surveillance methodology to enable early warnings to be given of impending epidemic activity and to understand the spread and possible persistence of the virus. In addition, the apparently ideal conditions for arboviral ecology in the Ord River irrigation area have made it essential to monitor for possible incursant mosquito vector species and viruses that could potentially become established in the region. Improved methods for mosquito collection, virus isolation, and antibody detection have been introduced over the past twenty years, which have allowed a more accurate picture to emerge of the ecology of MVE virus and a more effective surveillance system to be established to provide an early warning of increased virus activity. Human cases of Australian encephalitis, surveillance for virus activity, virus isolations, factors affecting mosquito populations, and virus spread and persistence are discussed below. Human encephalitis cases Increasing numbers of Australian encephalitis cases have occurred in Western Australia and the Northern Territory since 1977 (Mackenzie and Broom 1995; Mackenzie et al. 1993a; Smith et al. 1993). Indeed the majority of cases reported in Australia since 1977, thirty of
cent in children, but the length of residence in the Ord River area was an important determinant, with those who had lived in the area fewer than three years having a lower incidence (26 per cent) than those who had lived in the area for more than three years (64 per cent) (Liehne et al. 1976c). Thus these early results demonstrated that the mosquito density and bird numbers had increased since the establishment of the Ord River irrigation project, particularly around the diversion dam and Lake Kununurra, that the major mosquito vector of MVE virus was the predominant species Culex annulirostris, and that MVE virus was actively circulating in the area. However, the serological results must be treated with caution as the HI test cannot differentiate clearly between MVE and Kunjin viruses, and therefore a number of seroconversions may have been due to infection with the latter. Nevertheless, the results suggested that MVE virus may have become enzootic in the Ord River irrigation area. A single case of Australian encephalitis occurred in Kununurra in 1974; this was the last case of the 1974 epidemic that affected all Australian mainland states (Table 8.1). The first cases to be reported in the Northern Territory also occurred during the 1974 epidemic. 8.3.2 Studies carried out between 1977 and 1995 The early studies between 1972 and 1976 laid the foundation for the more detailed investigations of MVE virus ecology in north-western Australia that have been undertaken over the past twenty years. These investigations became increasingly important as cases of Australian encephalitis became more frequent, particularly with respect to surveillance methodology to enable early warnings to be given of impending epidemic activity and to understand the spread and possible persistence of the virus. In addition, the apparently ideal conditions for arboviral ecology in the Ord River irrigation area have made it essential to monitor for possible incursant mosquito vector species and viruses that could potentially become established in the region. Improved methods for mosquito collection, virus isolation, and antibody detection have been introduced over the past twenty years, which have allowed a more accurate picture to emerge of the ecology of MVE virus and a more effective surveillance system to be established to provide an early warning of increased virus activity. Human cases of Australian encephalitis, surveillance for virus activity, virus isolations, factors affecting mosquito populations, and virus spread and persistence are discussed below. Human encephalitis cases Increasing numbers of Australian encephalitis cases have occurred in Western Australia and the Northern Territory since 1977 (Mackenzie and Broom 1995; Mackenzie et al. 1993a; Smith et al. 1993). Indeed the majority of cases reported in Australia since 1977, thirty of
ABSTRACT