Health officials initially thought the woman in her 60s who died earlier this month had contracted another mosquito-borne virus, Japanese encephalitis virus.
But further testing has revealed the woman, who was from the shire of Buloke in western Victoria, had died from Murray Valley encephalitis.
Victoria had not previously recorded a human case of the virus since 1974, but human cases were recorded in NSW and SA in 2011.
The virus was detected in animals in the Griffith area in NSW and in northern Victoria in mid-January.
Most people infected with the virus do not have symptoms, but it can cause a life-threatening infection.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.
There is no vaccine or effective treatment.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said has warned Victorians, particularly those in the state’s north, to take steps to avoid mosquito bites,
“Simple precautions include wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, using insect repellents, removing stagnant water around homes or properties, and avoiding the outdoors when mosquitoes are observed, especially at dusk and dawn,” he said.
Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile (Kunjin) virus have been detected in mosquitoes in several LGAs in northern Victoria this mosquito season.
People eligible for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine are urged to speak to their GP, local public health unit, local council or community pharmacist for more information.
