By Oliver Lees
There is one person currently being treated for the japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) at Western Health, the hospital has confirmed, as health authorities seek to inform the public of the virus.
A Western Health spokesperson confirmed that a patient from southern New South Wales had been transferred to be treated for JEV at the Footscray Hospital.
The recent wave of mosquito-borne infections were detected at pig farms across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales in February.
While the overwhelming majority (more than 90 per cent) of infections are asymptomatic, there have been cases where the infected can develop symptoms, and in the most severe circumstances, it can cause death.
A Department of Health spokerson said the virus most frequently carries an incubation period from six to 16 days.
“Illness usually begins with sudden onset of fever, headache and vomiting. Mental status changes, focal neurological deficits, generalised weakness, movement disorders, loss of coordination and coma may develop over the next few days,” The spokesperson said.
As of March 11, there were seven confirmed and two probable cases of JEV in Victoria, including one death.
JEV can be transmitted from human to human or via conception of contaminated meat.
Although there is no mandate or recommendation to vaccinate against the virus, the federal government has announced that it will be making a vaccine accessible to high risk groups.
This high risk categorisation has been identified as anyone who works in the pork industry; lives near pork industry locations; deals directly with mosquitoes; or laboratory workers exposed to the virus.
Anyone in the groups identified above will have free access to a JEV vaccine, with the government confirming an additional shipment of vials will arrive by April.
For more information on prevention, diagnosis and treatment, visit the Department of Health website.
Details: bit.ly/3u3KXcN
