After missing the Christmas rush, tourists and locals returning to the Murray River over Easter are being reminded of the risk of mosquito-borne viruses.
New research published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health has highlighted the ongoing risk of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as the mosquito season nears its end.
About 3 per cent of people in northern Victoria have been infected with JEV, with 20 local government areas across the state eligible for free vaccinations.
Article co-author, associate professor and Victorian Department of Health deputy chief health officer, Deborah Friedman, said mosquitoes would remain active until after the Easter period.
"We've already had 14 cases of Japanese encephalitis in Victoria since this all began early in 2022 and there's already 45 cases that have arisen in Australia," she said.
"It's still not a common infection. But the risk is certainly there."
Best protection
Japanese encephalitis vaccines are not available across Australia and are only free for people who live or work in eligible local government areas.
Dr Friedman said the vaccine also did not prevent Murray Valley encephalitis, which authorities were also concerned about.
"Some of the cases of Japanese encephalitis that have arisen to date were people who visited [northern Victoria], so you don't need to be there for a very long period of time to be at risk," she said.
"Mosquito-bite prevention is absolutely of paramount importance and that includes wearing repellent, covering up with loose long fitting clothing, avoiding having any containers of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, and even considering whether or not your social activities need to be undertaken outdoors."
Future prevention
Health experts say the review shows why Australia needs to be prepared to take on new and emerging public health threats.
Public Health Association of Australia chief executive Terry Slevin said the arrival of Japanese encephalitis into south-eastern Australia was linked to climate change.
"Australia learnt a lot from our experience of COVID-19, and the Albanese government promised during its election campaign to establish an Australia Centre for Disease Control to tackle exactly this sort of emerging threat," he said.
"JE isn't just an issue in Victoria, there have been cases in other states.
"As a hopefully well-resourced central body, the Australian Centre for Disease Control could coordinate the cross-border response to these public health incidents."
