New mosquito-borne diseases detected in western NSW

ABC NEWS (Australia)

New South Wales health authorities are urging people to take extra steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes - with two "nasty" mosquito borne infections detected in the state's west.

Transcript

00:00The mosquito-borne viruses were detected after routine testing, typically conducted from

00:07the November to March period annually by New South Wales Health.

00:11Just a few days ago in Moree, Japanese encephalitis was found among mosquito populations there.

00:18Concerningly for authorities, late in December last year, they were also discovered in Griffith,

00:2410 hours south of Moree by car.

00:26Then, in between the two towns in the Narramine Shire, Feral Pig populations returned results

00:32for Japanese encephalitis.

00:34At this point there's been no cases detected among humans, however health authorities are

00:38particularly concerned about what appears to be the widespread nature of the virus.

00:43Elsewhere compounding this issue, Moree Valley encephalitis has also been detected, that

00:48among sentinel chicken populations in Cowra and West Wyalong.

00:53Both of those towns are a reasonable distance from each other, so yet again it's believed

00:57that this mosquito-borne disease is also widespread.

01:01Now, 55 local government areas across New South Wales have been identified as being

01:06at high risk.

01:08What people need to do there is to monitor for any symptoms, however it is important

01:12to remind people that no cases of either of these viruses have been detected among humans

01:18in New South Wales at this present time.

01:20The worst symptoms can prove to be fatal, indeed in the last Japanese encephalitis

01:25outbreak in Australia, seven people died and emergency services have to respond along with

01:31federal government should human cases be detected.

01:34However we're not at that point yet.

01:36What you should do to protect yourself is avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.

01:40While that might sound obvious, there are several steps you can take to mitigate that

01:44risk.

01:45It includes using insect repellent or sprays, having fly screens at your home or apartment

01:50as well avoiding travelling or being out and about during dusk and dawn periods.

01:55Of course if you're out camping or on holiday during those periods catching sunrise or sunset,

02:00the best thing to do is to use plenty of repellent as well as wearing loose-fitting clothing

02:04that can cover large parts of your body including long-sleeved clothes and pants as well.

02:10At this point there is no vaccine for Murray Valley encephalitis, however there is one

02:15for Japanese encephalitis.

02:17So in some instances people will be able to access vaccines.

02:21It is rare though for people to get this vaccine and you should only get it if you're at particular

02:26risk is the current health advice.

02:28In those areas where there is a heightened risk, largely in regional and rural and remote

02:33parts of New South Wales, people should see their doctors as well or go to the hospital

02:38if they're having particularly bad symptoms after mosquito bites.

02:41This could include disorientation or stiffness of the neck which can be an indication of

02:46brain sweltering.

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