Aussie animals infected with Japanese Encephalitis, authorities warn it could spread to humans!

The West Australian Department of Health has issued a warning to residents and tourists in the Kimberley region, to avoid contact with mosquitos, following an outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) in the area.

Identified though the Department of Health’s sentinel chicken surveillance program, positive samples were collected in February 2023 from chicken flocks in Kununurra and Wyndham in the Kimberley, suggesting the infection occurred in the last two months.

Positive samples were also reported in pigs last week, indicating the risk of JEV infection in the Kimberley region is ongoing.

JEV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and is a vaccine preventable virus.

The Department of Health’s Acting Director of Communicable Disease Control, Dr. Jelena Matevic, has warned of the significant risk JEV poses to the human population and has urged anyone with symptoms to seek urgent medical advice.

“Most people infected will have no or very mild symptoms and will fully recover, however, a small percentage develop severe illness including an Encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can lead to serious complications and death,” she said.

“Anyone who develops a sudden onset of fever, headache, vomiting, seizures or disorientation should seek urgent medical attention.”

Since January 2021, 45 cases of human JEV have been reported in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, with seven deaths recorded.

There have been no reported human cases of the mosquito-borne disease, in Western Australia.

The Department of Health suggests that children under five and older people, are at a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.

“Fortunately, there is a vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis, which is available through regional health services to those at highest risk in the Kimberley,” said Dr. Matevic.

“It is now more important than ever that people take measures to avoid mosquito bites to prevent infection.”

“Avoiding mosquito bites will also protect against other mosquito-borne diseases for which there is no vaccine, including Murray Valley Encephalitis.”