Fourth NSW resident confirmed to have Japanese Encephalitis

11 March, 2022

NSW Health is urging the community to take precautions against mosquito bites after a fourth NSW resident was confirmed to have Japanese encephalitis (JE).

The confirmed case is a woman aged in her 60s who spent time in the Griffith region before the onset of her illness. She was treated in hospital before being discharged recently and she is continuing to recover at home. This is the second confirmed case who has spent time in the Griffith region.

Several more people in NSW are currently undergoing further testing for JE and more cases are expected to be confirmed over the coming days and weeks.

Locally acquired cases of JE have never previously been identified in NSW in animals or humans. Since late February 2022, the JE virus has been confirmed in samples from pig farms in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

The JE virus is spread by mosquitoes and can infect animals and humans. The virus cannot be transmitted between humans, and it cannot be caught by eating pork or other pig products. 

There is no specific treatment for JE, which can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness in some cases.

The best thing people throughout the state can do to protect themselves and their families against JE is to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Simple actions you can take include: 

• Avoid going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially at dawn and dusk, and close to wetland and bushland areas.
• Wear long sleeves and pants outdoors (reduce skin exposure). Also wear shoes and socks where possible. There are insecticides (e.g. permethrin) available for treating clothing for those spending extended periods outdoors.
• Apply repellent to all areas of exposed skin, especially those that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus which are the most effective against mosquitoes. The strength of a repellent determines the duration of protection with the higher concentrations providing longer periods of protection. Always check the label for reapplication times.
• Reapply repellent after swimming. The duration of protection from repellent is also reduced with perspiration, such as during strenuous activity or hot weather so it may need to be reapplied more frequently.
• Apply the sunscreen first and then apply the repellent. Be aware that DEET-containing repellents may decrease the sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens so you may need to re-apply the sunscreen more frequently.
• For children in particular – most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older when used according to directions, although some formulations are only recommended for children aged 12 months and older – always check the product. Infants aged less than three months can be protected from mosquitoes by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting that is secured along the edges.
• If camping, ensure the tent has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering.
• Mosquito coils and other devices that release insecticides can assist reducing mosquito bites but should be used in combination with topical insect repellents.
• Reduce all water holding containers around the home where mosquitoes could breed. Mosquitoes only need a small amount of liquid to 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 Japanese encephalitis Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, are available at:

www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/factsheets.aspx