Curtin University researchers have determined that long-term effects of the Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus (MVEV) represents a significant medical and social burden in Australia, with a significant number of patients experiencing limb paralysis, depression and other psychiatric conditions following MVEV infection.<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Linda Selvey, School of Public Health, said MVEV was endemic in Northern Australia and although rare, cases occasionally occurred in south-eastern parts of Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cMVEV is a mosquito-borne virus that causes Murry Valley Encephalitis (MVE), resulting in an acute inflammation of the brain in some cases of infection,\u201d Associate Professor Selvey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSevere cases of MVE require long periods of hospitalisation which can have significant financial and social costs to both the patient and the health system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cases with the most severe outcomes were those that were complicated by paralysis but our study also highlighted that a number of MVE cases experienced symptoms of mental illness following their infection.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to demonstrate that clinical MVEV infection in WA has significant physical, mental and social repercussions beyond the reported acute case fatality and morbidity rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow-up studies on the closely related West Nile Virus and Japanese Encephalitis Virus have found neurological issues can persist for 27 or more years after the initial infection, with a similar outcome occurring in cases of MVE.<\/p>\n
Data on the economic impact of viral encephalitis is limited but the economic impact of cerebral palsy, another disease with extensive neurological outcomes, has been estimated on average to cost $43,431 per person per annum, increasing to $115,000 if the value of lost wellbeing is included.<\/p>\n
The study suggests that ongoing assessment and appropriate support, even for mild cases, may help reduce the psychological and social impacts of MVE.<\/p>\n