NSW Health has issued an alert to the community to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
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Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus has been detected in samples from commercial pig farms at five locations in southern and western NSW indicating the virus is likely circulating in the mosquito population.
Currently there are no known cases of JE in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands.
JE is a mosquito borne disease that may affect animals, including pigs, and humans. The virus is spread by mosquito bites.
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Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was important to protect yourself from mosquito bites as they could spread viruses.
Less than 1 per cent of people infected with JE experience symptoms, which typically include fever, joint pain, and rash.
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Occasionally, JE can cause severe a neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness.
"There is no specific treatment for JE or other mosquito-borne viruses. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes", Dr Chant said.
Simple actions to avoid mosquito bites include:
- Cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear when outside.
- Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin and reapply within a few hours. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area.
- Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.
- Remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes could breed.
Fact sheets on specific mosquito-borne diseases, including Japanese encephalitis Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, are available on the vector borne disease fact sheets webpage.
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