Victorian man Stephen Bond has been left fighting for his life in hospital after contracting the deadly Japanese Encephalitis virus from a mosquito bite.
Bond told his family he was experiencing a headache and fever in early December.
Just a few days later, his health had deteriorated and he was taken to the intensive care unit at Shepparton Hospital, before he was airlifted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Almost three weeks on, Bond remains in critical condition with what was confirmed to be Japanese Encephalitis.
The virus is typically found in infected mosquitoes in rural and agricultural areas in Asia and the West Pacific.
While cases are usually mild, it can cause severe brain swelling and even death on rare occasions.
“This beautiful, kind, loving, funny and much-loved man is fighting for his life,” Michelle Barnes wrote on an online fundraiser.
“Doctors have advised Cilla and family that should Steve be able to continue his fight and his brain start to recover, the recovery will take months in ICU and years of rehabilitation.
“His future capacity to live is unknown.
“It’s unimaginable to think how a bloody mosquito can do this to this beautiful country boy with a heart of gold and put his family through their darkest days.”
Bond’s wife and children have relocated to Melbourne to be by his side.
According to Victoria Health, it is the first identified case of Japanese Encephalitis in the state this summer.
It was also detected in mosquitoes in Griffith about a month ago.
Murray Valley encephalitis virus, another potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus, has also been found in chicken flocks in Cowra and West Wyalong.
Australians are urged to be aware of the risk and take measures to protect against mosquito-borne diseases, like covering up with long and loose-fitting clothing and using repellents.
