The risk of contracting a severe and sometimes fatal mosquito-borne disease has increased with the recent detection of the Murray Valley encephalitis virus in the Top End and Barkly region, the Health Department has warned.

Surveillance and testing of mosquitoes for diseases undertaken by the NT Health and the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade (DITT) from February and March this year, returned positive results for MRE in areas within Greater Darwin and Tennant Creek.

Eight cases of MVE were recorded in the NT last year with two cases being fatal.

Director of Medical Entomology Nina Kurucz said the positive surveillance results suggest the MVE virus is present in mosquitoes throughout the NT.

“The only protection from MVE is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. To ensure the best protection from mosquito bites, it’s important to cover up, use insect repellents and avoid areas where mosquitoes are active, such as swamps and wetlands,” Ms Kurucz said.

“Infants and children especially need to be protected.”

Almost 42,000 mosquitoes have been tested across NT regions for MVE, Japanese encephalitis and Kunjin virus since the start of this year. NT Health said from now until June is the highest risk period for serious mosquito-borne diseases.

MVE is a serious disease, in some cases causing delirium, coma, permanent brain damage or death. Symptoms can include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremors and seizures. MVE could be lurking in some high-risk zones such as rural areas, especially those close to swamps and wetlands, NT Health said.

To minimise the risk of mosquito-borne disease, the NT Health Department advises people to make sure infants and young children are well protected from mosquitoes; cover up with long light-coloured sleeved shirts and pants, socks and shoes; and use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalypt (PMD).

People should also avoid areas where mosquitoes are active, especially after sundown and use mosquito-proof tents when camping.

The NT Health urged anyone with symptoms to contact their healthcare provider immediately.