{"id":326040,"date":"2022-11-08T14:55:38","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T04:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=326040"},"modified":"2022-11-08T14:55:38","modified_gmt":"2022-11-08T04:55:38","slug":"free-vax-available-against-jev","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/11\/08\/free-vax-available-against-jev\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Vax Available Against JEV"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Darling Downs Health Director of Public Health and Community Medicine Dr Liam Flynn with Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard at a mosquito trap site at Meringandan on Monday (Photo: DDH)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 8, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett residents who spend several hours a day outdoors have been urged to get a free vaccination against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).<\/p>\n

JEV is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites after the insect has bitten an infected animal, usually pigs or water birds.<\/p>\n

About 99 per cent of people infected with JEV have no symptoms or mild symptoms, but those who do develop symptoms may experience a fever and headache, or abdominal pain and vomiting in children.<\/p>\n

It usually takes five to 15 days for the first symptoms to appear after a bite.<\/p>\n

Very rarely, an infection can prove fatal.<\/p>\n

In October, researchers said there had been six deaths across Australia so far in 2022 after the virus dramatically expanded its range.<\/p>\n

At-risk groups include people who work at or live near a piggery, or those who work with mosquitoes including environmental health officers and entomologists.<\/p>\n

Free JEV vaccinations are encouraged for residents who spend several hours a day outdoors, particularly around dusk or dawn, in the local government areas of:<\/strong><\/p>\n