Climate change, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, and the imperative of one health: navigating the challenge in Western Australia

<p dir="ltr">The Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), a rare but fatal mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a significant public health concern in endemic regions of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Major outbreaks of MVE virus were documented in southern and eastern Australia in the 1950s, 1970s, and 2010s, while other instances were mainly confined to Northern Australia. The virus, named after its initial detection in the Murray Valley of Southeastern Australia in 1917–182. Transmitted through the bite of the Culex annulirostris mosquito, commonly known as the common banded mosquito, the virus is closely related to regional flaviviruses like – Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and Kunjin virus, which share similar transmission characteristics. Water birds such as herons and egrets (Order – Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes) are considered to be reservoirs for MVEV. Due to the absence of specific treatments or vaccines, MVEV poses a growing challenge. This article will focus on the recent resurgence of MVEV in Western Australia (WA) in 2024, highlighting the interconnection between climate change and the virus, and measures implemented by local authorities to mitigate its impact within the framework of One Health.</p>