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Sentinel chooks: why was Japanese encephalitis such a surprise?
VICTORIAN doctors who treated an infant with Japanese encephalitis in one of the state’s first cases have shared their experience, urging fellow clinicians to be mindful of the differential diagnoses. It raises the question: is the mosquito-borne disease here to stay?Doctors from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne described the case of a previously well 4-month-old boy who presented with febrile convulsions after a 2-day prodrome of fevers, reduced energy and feeding, which progressed to
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31st May 2022
How can I protect myself from Japanese Encephalitis (JEV)
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has been detected in Australia. Anyone who gets bitten by an infected mosquito is at risk of getting JEV. The good news is there are simple steps we can take to protect ourselves from mosquitoes: Remove water holding containers where mosquitoes may breed. Use a mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus and be sure to follow the label instructions. Wear long, loose fitting clothing. Light colored clothing is best. Properly fit mosqu
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4th May 2022
Kimberley residents and travellers to take precautions against mosquito bites this holiday period
The Department of Health is reminding residents and travellers in the Kimberley region to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites over the Easter break and school holidays, as the risk of serious mosquito-borne disease has increased.The alert follows a significant increase in the activity of both Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin viruses.The increased virus activity had been detected through the Department of Health’s sentinel chicken surveillance program, which acts as an ear
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21st Apr 2022
Mosquito-borne viruses are on the move
It's the last thing you want to hear in 2022, cases of the Japanese encephalitis virus have been found in more than 40 piggeries across Australia and moved further south than ever before.Discover what is behind the surge, who is most at risk and how you can protect yourself.https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/sundayextra/how-real-is-the-threat-of-the-japanese-encephalitis-virus/13801582Guest:Associate Professor Gregor Devine, Group Leader at the Mosquito Control LaboratoryProducer - Ka
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29th Mar 2022
Surge in mosquito numbers expected across Australia with wet La Niña summer
The CSIRO has warned Australians to be more vigilant about our spindliest enemies this summer with a surge in mosquito numbers expected amid La Niña weather conditions.Southern and central Queensland have already seen the effects of widespread rain and flooding and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says those conditions are here to stay.Across Queensland this year, there have been more than 200 cases of Barmah Forest virus, and more than 770 cases of Ross River virus – both debilitating mosquito-b
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21st Dec 2021