Definition of Murray Valley encephalitis

Murray Valley encephalitis: A viral encephalitis first recognized in the Murray Valley, in Victoria, Australia, caused by a flavivirus that infects birds is transmitted by mosquitoes. Children are the most seriously affected. Patients may have headache, fever, malaise, drowsiness or convulsions. The Murray Valley encephalitis virus is a flavivirus. See also: Flavivirus encephalitis.