Encephalitis study

A MAJOR serosurvey is underway throughout Victoria, including the Loddon Mallee region, examining the spread of the Japanese Encephalitis virus.

Loddon Mallee Local Public Health Unit director Dr Bruce Bolam told The Guardian the study will help health units form a response to the virus.

“For the first time this far south in the Southern Hemisphere, we started seeing cases of JE last year,” he said.

“This virus, for the majority of people, will pass unnoticed, but for less than one in a hundred, it can result in brain inflammation.

“Because it’s the first time we’re seeing this in Victoria, we’re taking part in a statewide study to better understand how far it may have already spread in the community to help inform how we target our response.

“Everybody can get bitten by mosquitos, but certain groups are at higher risk, and this study will spell out in some detail who is at risk of infection in this coming season if JE is still with us.”

With the recent deluges throughout the Mallee and the warmer months approaching, the risks of mosquito-borne viruses are becoming more prevalent.

Dr Bolam said they hope to get a couple of hundred people tested across the region before November.

“We’re only going to be running this study until the end of this month with mosquito season starting now, so our goal is to get as many people through this study by then,” he said.

Results from the study will be published within the next six months.

Some tests have already been conducted in New South Wales, but Dr Bolam said this study would help provide a much clearer picture.

“This Victorian data will tell us in a lot more detail the precise geographical spread of where the cases are at the moment and where the risk will be highest in the future,” he said.

If you wish to be a part of the study, you can reach out to the Loddon Mallee LPHU via email at phu@bendigohealth.org.au or check out their website.

“For those who wish to participate, reach out to us – we’ll check if you’re eligible and then refer you to a pathology service near you – they are taking the majority of the blood samples,” Dr Bolam said.