Japanese encephalitis sparks concern in Hunter New England

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Japanese encephalitis virus has been detected in the Hunter New England Health District.

Two men, one from New South Wales and one from Victoria, have passed away with the virus.

A number of patients across Australia have been identified with the disease or are undergoing testing, with more cases expected to be confirmed soon.

Closer to home, it's been identified in the Tenterfield area, but there's concern it could spread further.

Dr David Durrheim, a public health physician at Hunter New England Health, says it's something to keep an eye on.

"It's very well-documented and very well-spread across tropical parts of both Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, but in Australia, it's previously been restricted to the Torres Strait and the very top end of Cape York," Dr Durrheim said.

"So it's very unusual to have the detection that we've seen in both humans and pigs, in four Australian states."

The mosquito-borne virus can't be passed from person to person, but there's concern piggeries could amplify its spread.

Mosquito populations are already growing, with heavy rainfall and floods across the East Coast offering the perfect climate for a population boom.

While the vast majority of cases have no symptoms, the disease caused by the virus can be life-threatening.

People with severe symptoms such as nausea, headaches, light sensitivity, and fever should seek medical attention.

Dr Durrheim says we should be cautious, but catching the virus isn't as likely as we think.

"The risk is really generally close to domestic pigs or piggeries," Dr Durrheim said.

"When you get to the coast, the predominant mosquitos is the saltmarsh mosquito, so that's particularly prevalent in the Newcastle area."

"The aedes mosquito is not known to transmit flaviviruses or Japanese encephalitis virus."

We're being encouraged to prevent mosquito bites with a few easy precautions:

• Cover up while outside with loose, light-coloured clothing and covered footwear.
• Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk.
• Apply insect repellent on exposed skin that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitos.
• Cover openings such as windows and doors with insect screens.
• Remove water-holding containers outside your house where mosquitoes can breed.
  

Mosquitoes Set to Spread Disease This Weekend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter New England Health is urging the public to take caution this weekend, with warm weather and rainfall conditions likely to produce an explosion in dangerous mosquito populations.

HNE Health physician Dr David Durrheim says the recent climate has resulted in favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes responsible for spreading diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.

“Good rainfall during the past few weeks has provided ample breeding sites and contributed to a rise in mosquito numbers, while the warm weather allows mosquitoes to survive longer and transmit the viruses to people."

Mosquito-borne viruses typically peak in summer and autumn months - and the only way to prevent infection to avoid being bitten in the first place.

“The symptoms of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus infection include fever, skin rash, painful joints and tiredness,” said Dr Durrheim. “Most people affected will have a mild illness that lasts for a few days. However, in some people, joint aches and lethargy can last for months.”

HNE Health have the following tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• Avoid being outside unprotected before dawn or after dusk
• Avoid high risk breeding sites such as marsh areas
• If you do have to go outside, wear loose fitting and light coloured clothing that covers your arms and legs
• Use an insect repellent that contains the chemical DEET or picaridin to protect your exposed skin
• Fit (and maintain) fly screens on all of your windows and doors
• If you have mosquitoes inside, use a knockdown insecticide in bedrooms half an hour before you go to bed

Image credit: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/

Mozzie "Perfect Storm" In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH AND GRACE LANCASTER

We're being warned to cover up and take precautions with mosquito numbers on the rise around Newcastle.

Recent heavy rain and kings tides have combed to create what authorities are describing as a perfect storm for mosquito breeding conditions.

Dr David Durrheim for Hunter New England health, warns of the viruses these salt marsh mosquitos bring.

"Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are transmitted salt marsh mosquitos and freshwater mosquitos...and they cause a flu-like illness, severe muscle ache, headaches, skin rash potentially but also the most prominent feature which is joint pain."

Mosquito numbers are expected to peak by Easter, with Hexham, Callaghan, Shortland, Blackbutt Reserve and Carrington the hotspots.

However, things should improve by the end of April when it becomes too cold for mozzies to breed.

In the meantime, Dr Durrheim is urging us to cover up and use insect repellent when outdoors.

"The ideal measures are mechanical ones by wearing long-sleeved shirts or trousers and using chemical repellent particularly that contains Deet," he says. 

Mosquito Numbers On The Rise Around Newcastle