It has also been detected in Victoria, in the Wangaratta and Campaspe local government areas, indicating the virus is likely circulating in the mosquito population.
A northern Victorian man has died from the mosquito-borne disease, confirmed by autopsy following the man’s death on Monday, February 28.
A Corowa man and a child from Wentworth are also currently receiving treatment after contracting the virus.
According to NSW Health ‘‘several more people’’ are being tested for JEV, with infections expected to rise in the coming days.
‘‘The man remains in a serious condition in ICU. The child has been discharged from ICU but continues to receive hospital care due to the serious nature of their illness,’’ NSW Health said in a statement.
JEV is a viral illness spread by mosquitoes, and was first confirmed following a sampling of pig farms in the Southern Border region.
‘‘The virus cannot be transmitted between humans, and it cannot be caught by eating pork or pig products. Locally acquired cases of JEV have never previously been identified in New South Wales in animals or humans,’’ NSW Health stated.
‘‘Mosquito control activities are being carried out in the vicinity of farms where pigs are confirmed to have been infected by JEV and New South Wales Health is arranging vaccination of workers on affected farms.’’
JEV is known to cause severe neurological illnesses, sometimes accompanied by headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness.
NSW Health acting chief health officer Dr Marianne Gale said the best thing people throughout the state can do to protect themselves and their families against JEV is to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
‘‘We are working closely with the Department of Primary Industries and other states and territories to determine the extent to which the virus is circulating,’’ Dr Gale said.
‘‘Unfortunately, our recent wet weather has led to very high mosquito numbers, so we need the community to be particularly vigilant and take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
‘‘We know mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, and we need people planning activities near waterways or where mosquitoes are present to be especially cautious, particularly those in the vicinity of the Murray River and its branches.’’
Simple actions to avoid mosquito bites include:
- When outside cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.
- Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin. Re-apply repellent within a few hours, as protection wears off with perspiration. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area.
- Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.
- Remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes could breed.
For further information on mosquito-borne disease and ways to protect yourself go to:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/resources.aspx.
Fact sheets on specific mosquito-borne diseases, including Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus, are available at:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/factsheets.aspx.