A woman from the Berrigan area is the seventh NSW resident to succumb to the Japanese Encephalitis Virus.
Yesterday evening, NSW Health confirmed that the woman — aged in her forties — had received treatment for the virus in hospital and has since been discharged.
NSW Health did not confirm which hospital is treating the woman.
‘‘She was treated in hospital before being discharged and is continuing to recover in the community’’ it said in a statement.
‘‘The JE virus is spread by mosquitoes and can infect animals and humans.
‘‘The virus cannot be transmitted between humans, and it cannot be caught by eating pork or other pig products.’’
NSW Health advises that the most effective way to protect yourself from the virus, is by avoiding mosquitoes entirely.
Simple actions to avoid mosquito bites include:
● When outside cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.
● Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin. Re-apply repellent within a few hours, as protection wears off with perspiration. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
● Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area.
● Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.
● Remove any water-holding containers outside the house where mosquitoes could breed.
For further information on mosquito-borne disease and ways to protect yourself go to:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/resources.aspx.
Fact sheets on specific mosquito-borne diseases, including Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus, are available at:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/factsheets.aspx.