Warning about mosquito-borne viruses in SA, Victoria and NSW after one person dies and seven sent to hospital

One person has died and seven others have been badly affected by mosquito-borne viruses that are increasingly being detected in south-east Australia. Key points: One person has died of acute encephalitis connected with a mosquito-borne virus Kokobera virus has been detected in the Riverland There has been a large number of Ross River virus cases SA Health said the La Nina weather pattern was increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in South Australia, including flavivirus infection. "In recent weeks, Kokobera virus has been detected in adult mosquitoes locally here in the Riverland, and what we have seen so far interstate is detection of the rare Japanese encephalitis virus in pigs in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, while West Nile virus was detected in horses in NSW in January," deputy chief public health officer Chris Lease said. "Kokobera virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus all belong to a group of viruses called flaviviruses. Search for Japanese encephalitis virus Chief veterinary officer Mary Carr said the Department of Primary Industries and Regions was undertaking surveillance measures to monitor for JEV, which is normally only seen in the Torres Strait.