A man has died after contracting mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis (JE), in the first death in New South Wales in almost three years.
The man in his 70s died at a hospital in Sydney’s north on Sunday.
He had been receiving treatment for the virus since early February after he likely contracted the disease while on holiday in Murrumbidgee in January.
It marks the first death from JE in NSW since May 2022 and the state’s third death since the disease was first detected earlier that year.
A woman in her 60s is receiving treatment for the infection in a hospital in the state’s north after likely contracted the disease on her property in the Tenterfield Shire.
JE is a rare but serious brain infection spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The disease can’t be transferred between humans or contracted by eating pork.
Symptoms include headaches, convulsions, neck stiffness, coma, chills, and disorientation and usually appear between five to 10 days of being bitten.
Japanese encephalitis(pictured) is a rare but serious brain infection spread by mosquitoes
Symptoms usually appear between five and 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito
Among those who get a serious illness from a bite, some may have lifelong neurological complications or even death.
The man’s death has prompted an urgent warning from NSW Health.
NSW Health’s executive director of health protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty reminded residents there was a safe and effective vaccine available.
‘These two cases of JE virus, one of which was infected while travelling for a holiday, shows it is very important all people take precautions against mosquitoes, not just those living in affected regions,’ Dr McAnulty said.
‘If you plan on travelling west of the Great Dividing Range, whether for work or holiday, and you plan to spend time outdoors, JE is a risk you must consider.’
Aussies have been urged to apply mosquito repellant while in the outdoors, specifically one that contains DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus.
Peak mosquito times are at dawn and dusk.
