Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Programme in Australia, 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002

Detection of flavivirus seroconversions in sentinel chicken flocks located throughout Australia is used to provide an early warning of increased levels of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin virus activity in the region. During the 2001/2002 season low levels of flavivirus activity were detected in northern Australia compared to previous years. MVE and Kunjin virus activity was detected in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and the Northern Territory but not in north Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria. This is in contrast to the previous season when MVE activity was detected both in northern Australia and, for the first time in over 20 years, in New South Wales. Two cases of Murray Valley encephalitis were reported from the north of Western Australia during the 2001/2002 wet season.