Japanese encephalitis (JEV) has been detected in mosquitoes for the first time in Moree, NSW, prompting health warnings. The detection coincides with Murray Valley encephalitis found in chickens in the state's central west.
Japanese encephalitis (JEV) has been detected in mosquitoes around Moree in north-west NSW for the first time.New South Wales Health authorities are warning the public to take extra care after two potentially fatal mosquito-borne infections were discovered in the state's west. Japanese encephalitis (JEV) has been detected in mosquitoes around Moree in north-west NSW for the first time, with local GPs reporting a surge in vaccine appointments.
That detection has come at the same time Murray Valley encephalitis has been found in chickens in Cowra and West Wyalong in the central west of the state.Hunter New England Health public health physician David Durrheim said the detection of JEV could be a worrying sign. 'What we're seeing is probably very widespread mosquito infection with this virus, and we need to take this very seriously,' he said. Dr Durrheim said recent rain and hot weather across the state's north-west created perfect conditions for mosquito breeding, heightening the risk of large-scale infections.Dr Durrheim said while roughly one in every 100 humans infected developed the disease, the effects could be life-threatening. 'For about a third of them the disease can be fatal, and amongst the survivors, about a third of people are left with terrible neurological deficit,' he said. NSW Health has advised those in the Moree region to remain extra vigilant for mosquitoes during peak hours like dusk and dawn.Rhonda Lang, manager of the Associate Medical Practice in Moree, said the centre had ordered an extra 50 doses of the vaccine to prepare for a rush of appointments.'We ordered more vaccines from NSW Health because we anticipated that influx. 'I think there'll be an initial burst of people wanting it, and then it'll probably trickle down to doctors raising it in consults in a month or so.'NSW Health regularly tests several birds in towns across the state to manage the spread of encephaliti
Japanese Encephalitis Mosquitoes NSW Health Warning Virus
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