The Mid Western Public Health Unit issued the warning following the detection of Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus in sentinel chickens located in several areas in Western NSW.

Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne disease and is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases have a high mortality rate and victims often suffer ongoing neurological sequelae.

However, a spokesperson for the Public Health Unit, located in Bathurst, stressed that the danger of your child contracting encephalitis is minute, unless they are in the vicinity of the areas where it has been detected.

According to the unit, these are the Macquarie Marshes, Wanaaring and Menindee.

The information has been made available to all public schools, in case of excursions planned to the suspect areas, the spokesperson said.

Not all mosquitoes carry the virus, and only about one person in about 1:1000 who get bitten by mosquitoes with the virus will get the disease.

The known hosts for the virus are water birds, and this year has seen significant bird breeding at key wetland sites such as the Macquarie Marshes.

Australian Encephalitis occurs throughout the country, but is most commonly found in Northern Western NSW.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Australian Encephalitis. The only protection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. This is particularly important to travelers and visitors to western NSW.

If you have been camping or staying near areas that are flooded or swampy or near natural wetlands, you should take every step to protect yourself against mosquitoes.

This includes avoid being outside when mosquitoes are most active (early in the morning and two hours after sunset), wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks and use a reliable brand of insect repellent (regularly applying the spray/lotion/gel).

The symptoms of Encephalitis include severe headache, neck stiffness, sudden onset of fever, seizures or fits (particularly in young children), vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, lethargy, irritability, drowsiness, confusion and convulsions can be experienced.

If you or your children have been near areas infested with mosquitoes, or you have been near Menindee, Wanaaring, or the Macquarie Marshes, and you develop any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately.