NSW has recorded its fourth case of Japanese encephalitis as the disease spreads across the state.
The mosquito-borne virus had never been detected in the state before this year.
The latest person to be infected was a woman in her 60s from the Griffith area, acting chief health officer Marianne Gale told a parliamentary hearing on Thursday.
A man in his 70s who was also from the Griffith area has died from the disease.
“It‘s concerning and there’s a lot of work being done,” Dr Gale said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the spread of the disease — which is usually found in southeast Asia — so far south was a clear example of the impact of climate change.
“It's quite concerning that we’ve suddenly got it moving so far south, and it goes to earlier commentary about, is climate change a matter for health? Well, of course it is,xjmtzyw” he said.
There have been 16 human cases in total, including seven in Victoria and one in Queensland.
A Victorian man died with the disease on February 28.
Several people are undergoing testing in NSW and more cases could emerge.
Japanese encephalitis can not be treated, but there are vaccines that can protect against the disease.
Most people who get infected experience no symptoms, but on rare occasions people can get seriously ill.
Symptoms include fever, joint pain and rashes and in severe cases patients have suffered from neurological illness with headaches, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
