Warning Issued for Japanese Encephalitis in Victoria, Australia
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Synopsis
Health officials in Victoria, Australia, have issued a warning about Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) after confirming its presence in local mosquitoes. Residents are urged to take precautions against bites and utilize available vaccinations.
Key Takeaways
- JEV detected in northern Victoria, Australia.
- Residents warned to protect against mosquito bites.
- WHO states that JEV severe illness occurs in 1 in 250 cases.
- Fatality rate among symptomatic patients can be as high as 30%.
- Free JEV vaccines available for residents in high-risk areas.
Sydney, Jan 15 (NationPress) Health officials in the Australian state of Victoria have issued a warning for residents and visitors to remain vigilant against mosquitoes after confirming cases of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV). The Department of Health in Victoria, Australia’s second largest state, announced on Wednesday that its early detection program found JEV in two mosquito traps located in the northern part of the state, marking the initial identifications of this potentially lethal disease for the current summer.
In light of these findings, the department has urged both tourists and local inhabitants in northern Victoria to take precautions against mosquito bites.
JEV is categorized as a flavivirus, which is related to both dengue and yellow fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that severe clinical illness can occur in approximately one in 250 human infections.
The fatality rate among symptomatic cases of JEV can reach up to 30 percent.
On Wednesday, Tarun Weeramanthri, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, stated, “Japanese encephalitis virus can result in a rare yet potentially severe brain infection and is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes.”
He recommended that residents in northern Victoria utilize insect repellent and minimize outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours.
The Victorian state government offers complimentary JEV vaccinations for residents living in 24 high-risk areas in the northern regions, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.
In late December, the Department of Health had already issued a warning regarding high-risk conditions after discovering a human case of JEV in the northern part of the state.
Christian McGrath, Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer, emphasized in the alert, “The risk of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes remains elevated in the upcoming weeks. It is crucial to implement measures to avoid mosquito bites to safeguard against infections.”
A man from a town located 200 km north of Melbourne is currently in critical condition in the hospital.
