Clinical and laboratory findings on the first imported case of Murray Valley encephalitis in Europe

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Jul 15;37(2):e19-21. doi: 10.1086/375068. Epub 2003 Jul 3.

Abstract

Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is an important mosquitoborne flavivirus infection endemic to Australia and Papua New Guinea. We report the first imported case of MVE in Europe. A 23-year-old tourist developed severe encephalitis after having returned to Germany from a long-term trip across the Australian continent. The diagnosis was suspected on the basis of clinical findings and the patient's travel history and was confirmed by serological findings. The patient made a prolonged but complete recovery. Our case coincides with a recently reported spread of MVE virus in Australia. This emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance in areas of endemicity and appropriate protection when traveling through regions in which the MVE virus is endemic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Encephalitis Virus, Murray Valley*
  • Encephalitis, Arbovirus / drug therapy
  • Encephalitis, Arbovirus / epidemiology
  • Encephalitis, Arbovirus / immunology
  • Encephalitis, Arbovirus / transmission*
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Papua New Guinea / epidemiology
  • Travel

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents