Japanese encephalitis consumed a second life in the NSW and was detected in Brisbane. What is this?

AND The other man died From the Japanese encephalitis virus in Modern South Wales, on March 6, the state health authorities confirmed on Friday. At the age of 70, the man was infected during the holidays in the Murrumbidgee region.

This occurs after death Another man in the 70s. In Sydney last month, after the holidays in the same region in January.

The Japanese encephalitis virus has also been detected for the first time Mosquitoes gathered in the eastern suburbs of BrisbaneQueensland health authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Since mosquito activity is to boost thanks to the floods of rain brought by the ex-transit cyclone Alfred, it is significant to protect yourself against mosquito bites.

What is a virus of Japanese encephalitis?

Japanese encephalitis is one of the most solemn diseases spreads through mosquitoesfrom about 68,000 cases a year in Southeast Asia and the regions of the West Pacific.

It is believed that the virus is kept in the cycle between mosquitoes and water birds. Mosquitoes are infected when they feed on a infected water bird. Then they transfer the virus to other water birds. Sometimes other animals and people can be infected.

Pigs are also the host, and the virus has spread Commercial piggers In Victoria, NSW and Queensland. (But it is not a threat to food safety.)

Wild pigs and Other animals He can also play Role in transmission cycles.

What are the symptoms?

Most people are infected do not show any symptoms.

People with subtle cases may have fever, headache and vomiting.

In more solemn cases – about one out of 250 infected people – People may have neck stiffness, confusion, drowsiness and convulsions. A solemn illness may have neurological complications for life, and in some cases the infection can threaten life.

Is No specific treatment for illness.

When Japanese encephalitis reached Australia and why is it in Brisbane?

The explosions of Japanese encephalitis occurred in Torres Strait in the 1990s.. The virus was also detected on the Cape York Peninsula in 1998.

Since 2004, there was no evidence of activities on the continent Summer 2021–22. The Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in a commercial basement in south -eastern Australia this summer.

This prompted the declaration Infectious disease incident of domestic significance. At this time, a flood accompanying weather patterns dominated by La Niña and the resulting boom of the number of mosquitoes and the population of water birds.

The virus spread in subsequent years and was detected in mosquito and arbovirus supervision programs, as well as detection of wild pigs and commercial pigs in most states and territories. Just Tasmania remained free Japanese virus of encephalitis.

Human cases of infection were also reported. There were over 50 cases of illness and Seven deaths in 2022.

Cases of Japanese encephalitis Have already been reported from Queensland in 2025..

Due to the concern of the Japanese virus of encephalitis and other pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes, health authorities in Australia expanded and strengthened their supervisory programs.

In Queensland, this includes monitoring of mosquitoes in many locations, including in urban areas in the south -eastern part of Queensland. Mosquitoes collected in this monitoring program have positively checked the virus of Japanese encephalitis, promoting current health warnings.

Why is its detection in Brisbane significant?

Until now, scientists have thought that the risk of Japanese encephalitis was probably the greatest after seasons above average rainfall or flood. This provides ideal conditions for water birds and mosquitoes.

But the activity of the Japanese virus of encephalitis in the summer of 2024–25 surprised many scientists. Before the Ex-Crop Alfred cyclone arrived, in many regions of Eastern Australia there were somewhat droughty conditions with less water birds and low mosquito.

However, the activity of the virus of Japanese encephalitis was still widespread VictoriaIN NSW AND Queensland.

Until now, the activity of the Japanese encephalitis virus has not expanded to the seaside regions of the south -eastern Queensland. Detection of the virus on the suburban Brisbane may require the authorities to think exactly where the virus may appear. The authorities boost surveillance to see how common the virus in the region is.

Health authorities and scientists are also trying to understand how the virus transferred from the western areas of the state to the coast and what drives the transmission of the virus in various regions.

Is There is currently no evidence The virus is dynamic in the coastal regions of the Northern NSW.

What can people do to protect themselves?

Avoiding mosquito bites is the best way to reduce the risk of a Japanese encephalitis virus.

Cover shirts with long sleeves and long pants to get a physical barrier against mosquito bites.

Apply local insects containing deet, picaridine or lemon oil eucalyptus. Remember to apply an even coat to all exposed areas of the skin to get indefinite protection for the longest time.

Make sure that insect screens on houses, tents and camping trailers are in good repair and reduce the amount of water standing in the yard. The more water there is in your home, the more mosquito options are.

Protected and effective vaccine is Available against Japanese encephalitis. Every state and territory of the Health Office (for example QueenslandIN NSWIN Victoria) Have specific recommendations for vaccination.

Achieving sufficient protection can take many weeks after vaccination, so in the meantime a reduction in the exposure to bites.