PEOPLE who spend four hours or more outside each day are now eligible to receive a vaccine to protect against Japanese encephalitis.
The Victorian Government has expanded eligibility criteria for the vaccine to include residents in Mildura, Swan Hill and Gannawarra local government areas.
The JE vaccine is available for anyone aged two months or older who spends more than four hours per day outside for work, recreational, educational or other essential activities
Deputy Chief Health Officer Associate Professor Deborah Friedman said flooding and rainfall had prompted an expansion of eligibility to guard against a greater risk of infection.
“We know mosquitoes don’t breed in initial floodwaters, but that the risk increases as these waters recede and leave behind pools of stagnant water,” Ms Friedman said.
“While the risk remains low, and we have not detected any Japanese encephalitis in mosquitoes or animals as part of our surveillance activities so far this season, this increased access means more people can now protect themselves.”
Health authorties are also concerned about a flesh-eating ulcer in Victoria, with one doctor warning soaring mosquito numbers could play into the number of infections increasing.
At least 266 cases of Buruli ulcer have been reported across the state so far this year.
But with Australia’s east coast MacPherson top of ballot bracing for a “bumper” mosquito season amid recent heavy rain and floods, there are fears that number could increase.
Dr Brad McKay, a leading GP, told Channel Nine’s Weekend Today both possums and the blood sucking insects carry the bacterium that causes the Buruli ulcer.
“We have seen a link between this particular bacteria being in ring-tail possums, also seen in mosquitoes,” he said, explaining authorities are particularly worried about an increase in cases detected throughout Geelong.
When the bacterium gets under the skin, it secretes a toxin that that kills the skin, McKay warned. “People just see it as being a bit of a mosquito bite that doesn’t heal, often the red patch just gets slightly bigger over time,” he said.
“Often it’s painless and then the breaks down into an ulcer, crusts over and keeps on growing.
“You have to be really vigilant about it because if you don’t see your doctor then – and don’t do anything about it – if you’re not put on antibiotics and not having a proper diagnosis it can eat away at your flesh and create big holes that need massive dressings or even plastic surgery.”
“We need to be aware of it and with more mosquitoes around with the wet weather, this is going to be a major problem.”
Residents in the Wentworth local government area are eligible for the vaccine as the NSW Government has identified the area as one of 39 LGAs where the virus is of high concern.
About 99 per cent of people who get JE do not have symptoms, which include fever, headache and vomiting.
But the virus can lead to a serious infection of the brain.
ELIGIBILITY for the vaccine has been updated following the October floods, with residents aged two months or older who match one of the three circumstances below are eligible:
• Residents who spend at least four hours per day outdoors for unavoidable work, recreational, educational or other essential activities.
• Residents living in temporary or f lood damaged accommodation (e.g. camps, tents, dwellings exposed to the external environment) that place them at increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes.
• Residents engaged in the prolonged clean up of stagnant waters following floods.
Residents who would like to be vaccinated can do so by making an appointment with their local immunisation provider of choice. This includes through council’s immunisation program.
Details regarding times and locations of council-run Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine sessions will be promoted on its Facebook page and at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/immunisation
Bookings are essential on 5450 9333.
