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.”
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.
