Urgent warning: Protect yourself from the dangerous mosquito virus spreading in this state
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As the summer season continues to bring warm, wet weather, and many of us are enjoying more time outdoors, the mosquito population is also reportedly thriving across New South Wales.
This has led to a resurgence of a dangerous mosquito-borne virus, Japanese encephalitis (JE), which was detected in the Menindee region.
Health authorities are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the potential diseases they can carry.
The detection of the JE virus was made during routine testing in late December.
The virus was found in a sentinel chicken, part of a program designed to provide early warning of the presence of serious mosquito-borne diseases.
The Acting Director of Environmental Health at NSW Health, Paul Byleveld, emphasised the importance of reducing the risk of mosquito bites, particularly in light of this recent detection.
Mosquitoes in NSW are known to carry Murray Valley encephalitis virus and the Kunjin, Ross River, and Barmah Forest viruses.
The symptoms of the JE virus range from tiredness, rash, headache, and sore and swollen joints to rare and severe symptoms such as seizures and loss of consciousness.
High-risk residents are eligible for a free vaccine to protect against JE infection.
Eligibility can be checked at the Japanese encephalitis vaccination website.
Below are the local government areas (LGAs) of high Japanese encephalitis virus concern:
However, vaccination is only one part of the solution. It's crucial to take additional steps to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
Here are some practical tips to protect yourself from mosquito-bourne viruses:
By following these tips, you can protect yourself and your family from these potentially serious diseases.
Have you or someone you know been affected by a mosquito-borne disease? Share your experiences and tips for protection in the comments below.
This has led to a resurgence of a dangerous mosquito-borne virus, Japanese encephalitis (JE), which was detected in the Menindee region.
Health authorities are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the potential diseases they can carry.
The detection of the JE virus was made during routine testing in late December.
The virus was found in a sentinel chicken, part of a program designed to provide early warning of the presence of serious mosquito-borne diseases.
The Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in NSW in late December. Image source: jcomp on Freepik.
The Acting Director of Environmental Health at NSW Health, Paul Byleveld, emphasised the importance of reducing the risk of mosquito bites, particularly in light of this recent detection.
Mosquitoes in NSW are known to carry Murray Valley encephalitis virus and the Kunjin, Ross River, and Barmah Forest viruses.
The symptoms of the JE virus range from tiredness, rash, headache, and sore and swollen joints to rare and severe symptoms such as seizures and loss of consciousness.
High-risk residents are eligible for a free vaccine to protect against JE infection.
Eligibility can be checked at the Japanese encephalitis vaccination website.
Below are the local government areas (LGAs) of high Japanese encephalitis virus concern:
However, vaccination is only one part of the solution. It's crucial to take additional steps to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
Here are some practical tips to protect yourself from mosquito-bourne viruses:
By following these tips, you can protect yourself and your family from these potentially serious diseases.
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