For the first time in ten years, the Murray Valley Encephalitis virus has been found to be the cause of death of two people.

The virus, which is unique to Northern Australia and Papua, New Guinea, is carried by birds and spread by mosquito bites. The virus, which cannot be directly passed from an infected person to another, has been reported to be fatal in about 25% of documented cases. In most cases though, people never even know that they are infected; therefore these cases typically go undocumented.

Even within Australia, the Murray Valley Encephalitis virus is considered to be extremely rare.

In recent weeks however, there have been an increased number of cases which are believed to be related to the recent flooding in Australia.

After spending 10 days in Australia following a six month farm exchange to New Zealand, Carlie Bell returned to her home in Orkney, Alberta, with the virus.

Bell returned to Alberta on May 13th and was admitted to the hospital two days later. She passed away last Tuesday and is believed to be the first Albertan ever to contract the disease and bring it home.

"It happened so quickly. I can't believe it. She was such a good girl”, said her grandmother Joyce Bell.