Several cases of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a rare but potentially serious infection have been detected in pigs in the state of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. At this stage, no cases have been reported in humans, but there may be a risk of transmission in regions near the border of Victoria and New South Wales.
More than 90 per cent of JEV infections are asymptomatic, transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The incubation period is usually between 6 to 16 days and illness usually begins with sudden onset of fever, headache and vomiting.
Public health officials have advised clinicians to consider and test for JEV and other arboviruses in patients with unexplained encephalitis, after other common causes such as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) and enteroviruses have been excluded.
Furthermore, it is recommended individuals limit their exposure to mosquitoes and monitor for symptoms if they have travelled around the impacted areas.
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