Mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis has been detected at Cowra and Japanese encephalitis at Narromine, prompting NSW Health to issue a warning before Christmas.
Western NSW Local Health District has urged people to protect themselves from mosquito bites this summer following the recent detections of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and Murray Valley (MV) encephalitis virus.
JE virus was detected in feral pigs from the Narromine Shire local government area (LGA) and Murray Valley encephalitis virus seroconversion in sentinel chickens in Cowra LGA.
WNSWLHD Public Health Director Priscilla Stanley said these detections were concerning as the number of mosquitoes will increase due to ideal breeding conditions.
“The detections of JE virus near Narromine indicate that the risk of transmission is likely broad, particularly in the 55 NSW LGAs that have been identified to be at higher risk in the inland regions of NSW," Ms Stanley said.
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“There is a safe, effective and free vaccine to protect against JE which is available to anyone who lives or routinely works in these 55 LGAs and for people who work in some other high-risk occupations.”
JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists. People who meet the eligibility criteria should make an appointment ahead of time and let them know it is for the JE vaccine. These providers may require a few days’ notice so they can order the vaccine.
You can also take steps to prevent mosquito bites, including:
• Applying repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times
• Re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Be sure to apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent
• Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear. and socks
• Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk
• Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
• Removing items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
• Using repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions
• Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges
• While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net
Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available on Japanese encephalitis vaccination.
JE virus cannot be transmitted between humans, and it cannot be caught by eating pork or other pig products.
For further information on ways to protect yourself against mosquito borne viruses is available on the NSW Health website.
