Tejal Somvanshi
A man is now in hospital with Japanese encephalitis after a camping trip in southern NSW’s Murrumbidgee region. He likely got the virus from a mosquito bite in late December or early January, marking the first case this summer. The news has pushed NSW Health to warn people about the risks, especially in areas west of the Great Dividing Range.
Dr Jeremy McAnulty, NSW Health’s Executive Director of Health Protection, points to a bigger picture. “This case, along with recent detections in pigs and mosquitoes in NSW and detections in Victoria and Queensland, highlights the risk of JE virus infection in a large stretch of NSW,” he said.
The virus moves from infected animals to people when a mosquito bites an animal with the Japanese encephalitis virus and then bites a human. You can’t catch it from another person or from eating pork. Most people who get infected won’t notice any symptoms. However, some will get sick within 5 to 15 days after the bite, starting with fever, headache, and vomiting.
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The danger comes with severe cases. These are rare, affecting less than 1% of infected people, but can be serious. A person might get neck stiffness, become confused, have seizures, or become paralyzed. The World Health Organisation reports that up to 30% of detected cases can be fatal. Permanent brain conditions occur in up to half of diagnosed cases.
NSW Health now offers a free vaccine for people who live or work in affected inland areas. “The vaccine is safe and effective,” Dr. McAnulty said. He stressed its importance for people in high-risk jobs or locations. People can protect themselves in simple ways every day. Using insect repellent matters, especially after swimming. Wearing light, loose-fitting long sleeves and pants helps. Going outside at dawn or dusk requires extra care since mosquitoes are the most active. At home, ensuring insect screens are placed on windows and doors and are gap-free and getting rid of standing water stops mosquitoes from breeding nearby.
The threat goes beyond just Japanese encephalitis. Dr McAnulty warned about other mosquito-carried viruses in the region. “Murray Valley Encephalitis, Kunjin, Ross River, and Barmah Forest viruses can also be spread by mosquito bites,” he said.
Recent tests show the virus in local animals and now this human case proves it’s active in the region. Anyone feeling sick after getting mosquito bites should see a doctor right away. In serious cases, people shouldn’t wait– they should call emergency services immediately.
