Little suckers: Japanese encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes.
A study has been launched to try to find out the level of spread of Japanese encephalitis through the Moira region.
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Funded by the Victorian Department of Health, the voluntary study is being conducted by the department, the Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, and will run for three months.
The Japanese encephalitis virus has this year been detected in humans, pigs and mosquitoes in Victoria, including in the Moira Shire.
It is the first time the virus has been detected in Victoria and other parts of south-eastern Australia.
GV Health said the aim of the work was to understand what proportion of people from regional communities in northern Victoria had been infected with Japanese encephalitis.
Mosquito risk: The outdoor lifestyle of people living and working in the Moira Shire puts them at greater risk of being exposed to Japanese encephalitis.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
People in the Moira Shire are being asked to participate in the study due to the higher risk of having been exposed to the virus because of where they live or work.
Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit medical director William Cross said a high level of participation from people in the Moira Shire would greatly assist the researchers.
“We urge as many people as possible from the Moira community to participate in the study, as the results will provide key information on how long ago the virus was introduced into the area, how many people have been infected and what increases the risk of infection,” Dr Cross said.
“The samples collected will also inform vaccination planning for summer.”
Eligible people are being encouraged to participate in the voluntary surveillance study by attending their local Dorevitch Pathology centre in Cobram or Yarrawonga, donating a blood sample and answering a short questionnaire.
Who is eligible to participate in the study:
All ages are welcome; however, children aged under 18 years must be accompanied (and have consent provided) by a parent or guardian.
Participants must not have been:
1. Previously vaccinated for Japanese encephalitis.
2. Previously diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis.
3. Born in one of the following countries where Japanese encephalitis is present:
Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Saipan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam.
The GV Health Vaccination Hub is also providing Japanese encephalitis vaccinations, with outreach to Moira Shire also being planned this month.
The community can participate in the study at their local Dorevitch Pathology collection centres located at:
• 30 William St, Cobram. Open times: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 3pm.
• 72 Woods Rd, Yarrawonga. Open times: Friday 10.30am to 1pm (times may vary, please check the GV Health website (link below)).
The Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit can also be contacted for more information about the study via email: PHU@gvhealth.org.au and by phone: 1800 313 070.
For more information on Japanese encephalitis visit:
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