Sign of the climate change times?

To date in 2022 been appears to be 8 confirmed cases of Japanese Encephalitis with 1 death in New South Wales. 

Victims were potentially exposed to infected mosquitos in the following Local Government Areas; Balranald, Berrigan, Federation, Goulburn, Mulwaree, Griffith, Temora and Wentworth. 

Also 8 cases have been diagnosed in South Australia with 1 death, 7 cases in Victoria with 1 death and 2 cases in Queensland. 

The youngest known case was a 4 month-old baby boy left with ongoing medical issues as a result of the infection. 

The Japanese Encephalitis virus is transmitted through a bite from culex mosquitoes that have contracted the virus from infected animals, most commonly pigs and certain waterbirds.

This virus has now been identified in stock held at piggeries in all four states, reportedly including a piggery near Tenterfield in northern NSW.

Virologist believe that the recent outbreak of this mosquito-borne virus is due to excessive rainfall, flooding and climate change which have exacerbated its spread.

On 4 March 2022, Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, declared the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) situation a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. She determined a national approach was required in relation to coordination of health policy, interventions and public messaging.

Meanwhile in New South Wales almost three months into its third pandemic year, there were 212,797 confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in the last 15 days, with est. 73 deaths due this disease. 

As at 4pm 19 March 2022 there were 202,419 active cases of COVID-19 spread across all 15 local heath districts within the state.