BALRANALD residents will now be able to be better protected from Japanese Encephalitis, with the NSW government expanding free access to the vaccine.
People presently covered are those who work with pigs, come into contact with mosquitos, are in specialised laboratories, Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s (CDNA) national priority groups, and some international travellers.
However, now the JE vaccine is recommended for people who live or work in the Balranald, Wentworth or Dubbo regional areas, are aged 50 years or older, and spend a significant time outdoors of four or more hours a day.
This comes after a new seroprevalence survey by NSW Health found that one in 11 people, or 80 in 917, who took part showed evidence of previous infection.
“The results of this serosurvey provides avaluable insight into the prevalence of past JE infections in these communities after it was first detected earlier this year,” the director of Far West and Western NSW Public Health Priscilla Stanley said.
“Vaccination is an important part of the public health response, but currently, global JE vaccine is very limited.
“So we’re urging people to protect themselves by avoiding mosquito bites altogether, particularly as we head into warmer months.”
Ms Stanley extended her thanks to the participants from communities across Griffith, Temora, Corowa, Balranald and Dubbo who provided blood samples in the survey. These areas were selected on the basis of JE virus activity.
To date, 13 people in NSW have been clinically diagnosed with JE this year, and two of those have died. All were estimated to have acquired the virus between mid-January and the end of February this year.
JE is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. People are not able to pass the virus to other people. Humans also cannot get infected with the virus by touching an infected animal or eating animal products, including pork products
There are a number of ways to protect yourself and your family. Cover openings such as windows and doors with insect screens and check there are no have gaps in them; Remove items that might collect water (such as old tyres, empty pots) outside your house where mosquitoes can breed. Improve drainage on your property so that water does not become stagnant. Wear light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks, especially around dusk and dawn. Apply repellent to all areas of exposed skin, using repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Re-apply repellent regularly, particularly after swimming, being sure to always apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent. Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitos.
The JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners (GPs). People who meet the criteria are encouraged to make an appointment with their GP and let them know it is for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine. GPs may require a few days’ notice so they can order the vaccine.
For further information if JE virus and ways to protect yourself, go to the NSW health website and search ‘JE virus’.
