South Australians are being warned to avoid exposure to mosquitoes following the recent detection of various flaviviruses in southern parts of Australia, the viruses of which are spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Executive Director of Health Protection and Licensing Services at the Department for Health and Wellbeing, Dr Chris Lease, said the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including flavivirus infection, had increased due to the La Nina weather pattern affecting the south east of Australia.
“In South Australia, there have been seven cases of acute encephalitis identified in the past month, which are currently undergoing investigation for flavivirus infection,” Dr Lease said.
“All of these people required hospitalisation with four people currently still in hospital, and one person having sadly passed away,” he said.
“In recent weeks, Kokobera virus has been detected in adult mosquitoes locally here in the Riverland and what we have seen so far interstate is detection of the rare Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in pigs in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, while West Nile virus (Kunjin variant) was detected in horses in New South Wales in January.”
Dr Lease said Kokobera, JEV, West Nile and Murray Valley encephalitis were all flaviviruses.
“Most people who are infected with these viruses are asymptomatic or develop a mild febrile illness, but a small proportion of infected people – less than 1 per cent – will develop encephalitis, which may be fatal or cause long-term neurological damage,” he said.
“Symptoms of encephalitis may include confusion, headaches, neck stiffness, tremors, drowsiness and seizures.”
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mary Carr said the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) was undertaking surveillance measures within South Australia to monitor for JEV and was working closely with interstate counterparts and SA Health.
Further information from SA Health on how to Fight the Bite can be accessed at this PS News link.
