16 March 2022

Dear Stakeholder,

You may be aware there have been detections of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in piggeries across NSW in areas reporting high numbers of mosquitos due to current weather conditions.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has initiated an Incident Management Team to lead an emergency response, in conjunction with other states and territories, and is working closely with NSW Health to minimise effects on industry and the community.

Efforts to determine the extent to which the virus is present in the environment is being conducted through animal disease testing and mosquito monitoring.

JE is transmitted only by mosquitoes and is not a pig to pig or human to human disease.

What is the risk to animals?

JEV is a mosquito-borne viral disease, which is maintained in nature by transmission cycles involving Culex sp. mosquitoes and affects a range of species including waterbirds, pigs, horses and donkeys, as well as people.

It is a serious, emergency animal disease of pigs and is notifiable in Australia, meaning any suspected cases need to be reported immediately.

Any suspicion of JEV in pigs must be reported to your Local Land Services District Veterinarian immediately on 1300 795 299 or call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Movement restrictions for live pigs and semen from infected and suspect properties are now in place. Refer to the Biosecurity (Japanese encephalitis) Control Order 2022 and the Biosecurity (Japanese encephalitis) Control Order guidance document for the measures to ensure pig supply chain and industry continuity.  

Factsheets about Japanese encephalitis in pigs and horses are available for:

• Veterinarians
• Pig owners and producers, including mosquito control in piggeries
• Horse owners, and
• Smallholder livestock owners, including mosquito control in piggeries to help them better understand JE in the context of:
  • Signs of disease in pigs and horses,
  • How to report suspect disease in pigs and horses and
  • Mosquito management to help protect people, pigs and horses from JE
  • Mosquito management to help protect people, pigs and horses from JE

For more information, refer to the NSW DPI Japanese encephalitis website.

What is my risk and how do I protect myself?

As the current geographic spread of the virus is still being determined, it is essential everyone in NSW takes steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites.  

Taking protective measures will also protect you from other mosquito-borne diseases includes Kunjin, Murray Valley Encephalitis, Barmah Forest Virus and Ross River Virus (all of which are not vaccine-preventable).

1. Personal protection measures

• Wear light coloured, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks to reduce skin exposure. There are insecticides, such as permethrin, available for treating clothing for those spending extended periods outdoors.
• Apply repellent to all areas of exposed skin, especially those that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus which are the most effective against mosquitoes. The strength of a repellent determines the duration of protection with the higher concentrations providing longer periods of protection. Always check the label for reapplication times.
• Reapply repellent after swimming. The duration of protection from repellent is also reduced with perspiration, such as during strenuous activity or hot weather so it may need to be reapplied more frequently.
• Apply the sunscreen first and then apply the repellent. Be aware that DEET-containing repellents may decrease the sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens so you may need to reapply the sunscreen more frequently.
• For children in particular - most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged 3 months and older when used according to directions, although some formulations are only recommended for children aged 12 months and older - always check the product information. Infants aged less than 3 months can be protected from mosquitoes by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting that is secured along the edges.
• Assess your environment to reduce the likelihood of mosquitos breeding or accessing your home and work buildings. Remove all water holding containers around the home where mosquitoes could breed and use over-the-counter insecticide sprays when mosquitoes are present inside the room, especially behind furniture and in dark places.

2. Vaccination

The Communicable Diseases Network of Australia (CDNA) has identified high-risk groups for priority JEV vaccination.  

In NSW, people who work or reside at an infected piggery or abattoir (where JEV has been confirmed in an animal on the property) are being prioritised for vaccination through NSW Health arrangements. Vaccination clinics have commenced from 7 March 2022 and access to vaccination is being coordinated by NSW Health in conjunction with property owners.

• If you believe you have had close contact with an infected or suspect piggery and have not been contacted about vaccination, please contact the owner of the property to confirm vaccination arrangements. This includes veterinary staff, casual laborers, transport workers and other contractors that work on the premises.

People who belong to any of the CDNA high-risk groups for priority vaccination where JEV has not been detected will be prioritised for vaccination as extra vaccine supplies arrive, which is anticipated to be in 2 to 4 weeks, by mid-April 2022. Further communication about how to access these vaccines will come through these channels.