Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a rare but serious mosquito?borne disease. SafeWork NSW has issued a safety alert to help employers and workers understand the risks, prevention strategies, and workplace responsibilities. Several commercial piggeries had been infected with JEV, mostly in the southern, western, and New England areas of NSW, as well as in Queensland, Victoria & South Australia. SafeWork has provided information to assist businesses.
The virus can be extremely serious, as it can cause inflammation of brain, in rare but serious cases. JEV is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. Therefore, the virus cannot be transmitted from human to human.
Vaccine is required for those who work with pigs or live close to them, as they are high in risk. Immune to virus are those who already have been previously exposed or vaccinated.
High-risk individuals are also those who participate in outdoor activities near significant mosquito populations, especially in areas near waterways where JEV has been detected.
Read SafeWork NSW’s Japanese Encephalitis safety alert for details on how JEV spreads, who is at risk, symptoms, treatment, vaccination, exposure management, and mosquito bite prevention.
Contact ABILITY GROUP to know more.
Source: SafeWork
Title: SafeWork NSW- Japanese Encephalitis
Read time: 10 minutes