Isolation of Murray Valley encephalitis virus from sentinel chickens

Sentinel chickens were established in 3 centres along the Murray Valley on 20 December 1973. The demonstration of antibody in the serum of chickens in the Mildura and Kerang areas indicated Sindbis virus activity late in December 1973 and early in January 1974. Tests for antibody to MVE virus were negative until blood collected from one chicken at Echuca on 27 February 1974 and several chickens at Mildura and Kerang on 14 March 1974, showed positive HI reactions. Murray Valley encephalitis virus was isolated from blood collected from chickens at Echuca and Kerang respectively on 31 January 1974 and 27 February 1974.