NSW Health’s routine surveillance of mosquito numbers across the state, the Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Monitoring program, has now begun in inland areas of NSW, signalling the start of the mosquito-borne disease season.
Priscilla Stanley, Western NSW and Far West Local Health District Public Health Director, is urging residents of Dubbo, Wentworth and Balranald to speak to their local doctor about the risks of mosquito-borne viruses in time for summer and to discuss with their doctor if they are eligible for a JE vaccine.
“It is particularly important to vaccinate now if you are eligible because it takes up to four weeks following vaccination to develop a protective immune response to the JE virus,” Ms Stanley said.
NSW recently expanded access to JE vaccine for people who meet the criteria living or working in the declared 14 local government areas where JE virus activity has been detected.
In addition to the current group of people who work with pigs or mosquitoes or in specialised laboratories, Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s (CDNA) national priority groups, free JE vaccine is now also recommended for people who:
- live or work in any of the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Dubbo Regional, Edward River, Federation, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Lockhart, Murray River, Temora, or Wentworth and
- are aged 50 years or older, and
- spend significant time outdoors (four hours per day).
JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners (GPs). People who meet the above criteria should make an appointment with their doctor and let them know it is for the JE vaccine. GPs may require a few days’ notice so they can order the vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for people travelling to some overseas counties, but these vaccines are available for purchase on the private market.
Ms Stanley also said that people in Dubbo, Wentworth and Balranald should take action now to protect themselves and their families against JE.
“I would continue to urge the community to stay vigilant and take precautions against mosquito bites altogether because, aside from JE, mosquitoes carry a range of viruses for which there are no vaccines,” Ms Stanley said.
Protect yourself and your family by:
- wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks, especially around dusk and dawn
- applying repellent to all areas of exposed skin, using repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming, being sure to always apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent
- avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk, unless wearing mosquito repellents and protective clothing
- covering openings such as windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no have gaps in them
- removing items that might collect water (such as old tyres, empty pots) outside your house where mosquitoes can breed
- improving drainage on your property so that water does not become stagnant
- using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitos (mosquito coils should only be used outside).
For further information on Japanese encephalitis virus and ways to protect yourself visit the NSW Health website.