A man has become the first confirmed human case of Japanese encephalitis in Queensland since 2022, with health care staff believing he contracted the mosquito-borne disease during a visit to the Goondiwindi region over Christmas.
Queensland Health confirmed the man’s infection on 17 January, with a spokesperson for the government arm explaining he was being treated at Townsville University Hospital.
Initial investigations by the State Government showed the man was likely bitten by an infected mosquito during a visit to Yelarbon, near the Queensland-New South Wales border in the Goondiwindi region, around Christmastime.
He is the first person to be officially diagnosed with locally-acquired Japanese encephalitis since May 2022, and is currently the only confirmed case in Queensland.
Japanese encephalitis is a virus similar to dengue fever and yellow fever. It is carried by pigs and wading birds, and can be spread to humans through mosquito bites.
Only around one per cent of infections produce symptoms after an incubation period of between five and 15 days.
In mild cases, the virus causes fevers and headaches, as well as abdominal pain and vomiting in children; severe infections can result in inflammation of the brain, convulsions, paralysis and coma.
Severe cases have a mortality rate of around 33 per cent, with a further one third of infections resulting in permanent disabilities.
The man currently being treated for Japanese encephalitis in Townsville is reported to be in a stable condition, according to Queensland Health.
The State Government has urged people living in the Goondiwindi area to get vaccinated for the mosquito-borne virus.
“[Japanese encephalitis] infection is preventable through vaccination and avoidance of mosquito bites,” said Darling Downs Health doctor Mikaela Seymour.
“Thankfully, many of our community members around Goondiwindi had already received the vaccine in 2022/23 and are therefore protected against this virus.”
Vaccination is recommended and available for free to ‘at-risk’ groups around Queensland including residents of the South and North Burnett regions, the latter of which recorded cases of the virus in animals back in April of 2022.
People working in or living near piggeries and pork abattoires are especially urged to get vaccinated for Japanese encephalitis, as are those who hunt feral pigs.
“We’re urging all remaining eligible members of the community to take this simple step to arm yourselves and your families against [Japanese encephalitis],” Dr Seymour said.
Queenslanders are meanwhile asked to be ‘mosquito-safe’ by wearing light colours, long sleeves and designated insect repellent when outdoors, and putting up mosquito screens when indoors.
To learn more about Japanese encephalitis and find out where to get vaccinated, visit qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/viral-infections/japanese-encephalitis
