State’s Urgent Warning Over Deadly Virus Spreads in Victoria
Victoria Health issues a warning after a case of Japanese encephalitis is detected, urging residents to avoid mosquito bites.
Victoria, Japanese Encephalitis, Mosquito, Virus, Australia
Victoria: A suspected case of Japanese encephalitis has popped up in northern Victoria. This has led Victoria Health to sound the alarm about this dangerous mosquito-borne virus.
It’s the first human case of the season in Victoria, which is a bit concerning. They’ve also found the virus in local mosquitoes and feral pigs.
Authorities are particularly worried about areas near the Murray River and inland riverine regions. So, if you’re in those spots, keep an eye out.
Now, Japanese encephalitis is related to dengue and yellow fever. It spreads to humans through infected mosquito bites. Most people won’t even show symptoms, but if they do, it usually starts with fever, headache, and vomiting about a week or so after being bitten.
In rare cases, it can lead to serious brain infections, which could be really bad news. But that’s only likely to happen in about 1% of cases.
Dr. Christian McGrath, the acting chief health officer, is urging everyone in northern Victoria to be extra cautious. He says the virus is likely circulating this summer, so avoiding mosquito bites is super important.
He also mentioned that the risk of mosquito-borne diseases is high in the coming weeks. So, if you’re heading to northern Victoria, do what you can to stay bite-free.
In Victoria, there’s a vaccine available for those at higher risk, and it’s free. So, if you think you might be at risk, it’s worth checking out.