The federal government has confirmed it is in the process of obtaining vaccines internationally for horses and pigs to protect them from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).
Days after the South Australian government extended its JEV vaccination program to at-risk shack owners along the Murray River, a departmental spokesperson from the federal government said it was in discussions with international manufacturers for vaccines appropriate for use on animals.
Horses and piglets are most at risk of getting sick from JEV, with infected horses known to suffer brain inflammation and become dull, recumbent and tired.
If a pig becomes infected while pregnant, the piglet usually dies.
"If pigs are infected when they're very young you can get some neurological signs as well, so staggers, tremors, with very young piglets," Chief Veterinary Officer from PIRSA Mary Carr said.
The departmental spokesperson said vaccines were a key measure to reduce the impact of JEV in livestock.
"In pigs, the use of vaccines can reduce reproductive losses and in horses, vaccines can reduce the likelihood of a horse developing severe disease," the spokesperson said.
"While clinical disease is mild in most horses infected with JEV, a more severe neurological form of disease can occur which will often result in the death of the horse within one to two days."
Obtaining the vaccine in Australia for horses will depend on the time taken for regulatory assessment and its international availability.
Work is currently underway to determine the best type of vaccine to use for pigs in Australia.
"This is important as the strain of JEV in Australia is different to that found overseas," the spokesperson said.
"Work is required to determine whether overseas manufactured vaccines are effective against the strain of JEV circulating in Australia."
Preliminary results of this work are expected in the first three months of 2023.
Dr Carr said recommended anyone with an unwell horse to contact their local vet.
"We work with those vets regularly to make sure that ... testing for JEV and these other viruses is undertaken," she said.
Protecting pets
Dr Carr said many animals could get JEV and have an antibody response but have no symptoms.
"They can still be infected, they still get an antibody response, but it's just those genetic differences that we often see in animals, so they don't develop disease with it, their immune system kicks it out and doesn't allow it to replicate," Dr Carr said.
She urged people to reduce mosquito breeding places on their properties and protect the animals at risk of becoming sick.
Mosquito repellent rugs can be purchased for horses as well as standard practises used for humans.
"All the same things that we recommend with humans … insect repellent, long lose clothing, covering up as much as possible," she said.
