SYDNEY, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have announced to provide more vaccines for Japanese encephalitis (JE) to people living in the state's most affected regional areas.
The virus could be spread to humans by mosquitoes that have been in contact with infected animals such as pigs. As of Sept. 8, there have been 40 human cases in Australia including 13 cases in NSW, among which two people subsequently died.
In March, Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer Sonya Bennett declared the JE situation a communicable disease incident of national significance.
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant, in a statement on Wednesday, said blood plasma testing of more than 1,000 people living in the state's regional areas had revealed that about one in 11 had JE antibodies indicating they had already had an infection of the virus.
"The results of this serosurvey provide us with valuable insight into the prevalence of past JE infections in these communities," Chant said.
Chant said vaccinations were an important part of controlling the disease but warned that global supplies of the vaccine were "very limited".
The vaccine shots are available from doctors throughout many of the state's major agricultural regions including Dubbo, Murray River and Goulburn.
People aged over 50 and those who spend significant time outdoors are being strongly advised to get vaccinated.
Chant said aside from the vaccinations, people should protect themselves from mosquito bites, such as ensuring house windows have insect screens, and wearing protective clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts, particularly as the warmer months approach.
Health authorities said most people with JE do not have symptoms. However, some patients suffer a range of illnesses including fevers and headaches. Rare but extreme cases can lead to tremors, comas, seizures and death. ■