Several commercial piggeries had been infected with JEV, mostly in Southern, Western & 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 at risk are also those who participate in outdoor activities near significant mosquito populations, especially near waterways in areas where JEV has been detected.
Read more information about JEV in SafeWork NSW’s Japanese encephalitis safety alert, including:
• How is it spread?
• Who is at risk?
• Symptoms and treatment
• Managing the risk of exposure
• Vaccination
• Avoiding mosquito bites – environmental, personal and administrative protective controls.
Source: SafeWork
Title: SafeWork NSW- Japanese Encephalitis
Read time: 10 minutes