JEV (Japanese Encephalitis Virus) has spread rapidly through four Australian states in the past week, infecting pigs, horses and people.
The virus has been detected in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia with cases now confirmed at six piggeries in Victoria, – 14 in total across the country.
Chief Veterinary Officer of Agriculture Victoria Dr Graeme Cooke said anyone who owns pigs or horses should take steps to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
“We encourage pig farmers and horse owners to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds near their animals, such as stagnant water, to reduce the chances of them being bitten”.
This also includes wearing long, loose-fitting clothes outdoors and using effective mosquito repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin, and trying to limit outdoor activity where mosquitoes may be around.
While most humans will experience mild or no symptoms of the disease, less than one per cent of people can develop severe illness. Symptoms include neck stiffness, severe headache and coma, and more rarely, permanent neurological complications or death.
Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp, said people working with pigs in particular must be highly vigilant for signs of the disease.
“The key signs to look out for in pigs are stillborn or weak piglets, some with an impaired nervous system. Piglets can develop encephalitis or wasting, depression, or hind limb paralysis. Adult sows do not typically show signs of disease,” Dr Schipp said.
“In horses, many cases show no signs of the disease. Some animals may show signs of elevated temperature, jaundice, lethargy or anorexia. Other signs may include lack of coordination, difficulty swallowing, impaired vision or over-excitement.”
The disease is spread only by infected mosquitoes, and cannot transfer between animals or humans, or by eating pork products.
Pigs are the focus from a human health perspective as they can infect mosquitoes that can then infect humans, which is not the case with horses.
Pig owners are advised to avoid creating mosquito breeding environments near pigs by removing weeds, mowing long grass, spraying or fogging sheds regularly with a handheld or commercial spray unit with approved insecticide, and dispersing approved mosquito larvicides over water bodies close to sheds that cannot be drained.
Horse owners can also put measures in place to help their horses avoid mosquito bites, including using hooded rugs, fly masks, and applying a safe insect repellent.
Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, has declared JEV a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance, meaning anyone who believes themselves or their livestock may have JEV must report it to their local veterinarian or the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
