Authorities have issued a warning to residents of NSW, Victoria, and Queensland to protect themselves from mosquito bites as traces of mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus were detected in some areas in the aforementioned states.

An NSW Health spokesman said that traces of the disease were found in samples from commercial pig farms at five different locations in the southern and western parts of the state.

It was suspected that the virus is circulating in the mosquito population.

Traces of the mosquito-borne JE virus were traced in some areas of NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. Credit: Getty Images.​

Additionally, reports revealed that the virus is also detected in the northern Victorian town of Echuca and in southern Queensland.

It should be noted that while the JE virus cannot be transmitted from human to human, humans and animals infected by this disease can develop encephalitis, which can be "potentially life-threatening".

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said: “Less than one per cent of people infected with JE experience symptoms, which typically include fever, joint pain, and rash.”

“Occasionally, JE can cause a severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness.”

Victoria chief health officer Brett Sutton confirmed that there were no known cases of JE virus infecting a human in the state as of this date.

However, Mr Sutton urged anyone who experiences a sudden onset of the aforementioned symptoms to check with their doctors immediately.

“People with these symptoms can deteriorate over just a few short days, including suffering a loss of coordination, disorientation, generalised weakness and in some cases issues with movement which can last for years,” he said.

“We can all protect ourselves by avoiding mosquito bites, including covering up, wearing loose-fitting clothing and using mosquito repellents.”

People working in environments that increase their exposure to mosquitoes — such as those working in pig farms and outdoors — have a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Additionally, older people and children aged under five are more susceptible to developing more severe symptoms and illnesses from the virus.

People working in areas with increased exposure to mosquitoes are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Credit: news.com.au.​

Below are some tips to avoid your exposure to mosquitoes:

• Cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear when outside
• Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin and reapply within a few hours. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area
• Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens
• Remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes can breed

We also recommend this video, explaining how you can be "immune" from mosquito bites:

Credit: YouTube/SciShow​

 

[Ricci]

Of course there is a new disease to worry about. We obviously haven't had enough in the past couple of years.. We've already had the trifecta, fire, flood and pestilence. When do the good times come back? You know the boring nothing's happening here days?!

 

[JayKay]

Of course there is a new disease to worry about. We obviously haven't had enough in the past couple of years.. We've already had the trifecta, fire, flood and pestilence. When do the good times come back? You know the boring nothing's happening here days?!

And drought.....

 

[Senor]

Of course there is a new disease to worry about. We obviously haven't had enough in the past couple of years.. We've already had the trifecta, fire, flood and pestilence. When do the good times come back? You know the boring nothing's happening here days?!

You forgot the war. I think we are heading downhill. Sigh! Stop the world, I want to get off.