All four South Australians with Japanese encephalitis were hospitalised, with two still in hospital. Another case of encephalitis passed away, but SA Health is still investigating the cause of death.
Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis may include confusion, headaches, neck stiffness, tremors, drowsiness and seizures.
SA Health executive director of health protection and licensing services Dr Chris Lease said Japanese encephalitis was first detected at a South Australian pixjmtzywggery.
He said the virus likely spread to South Australia from the flood-impacted eastern states, which have reported outbreaks in recent days and prompted the Federal Government to declare Japanese encephalitis as a disease of national significance.
“We really need people to be extra vigilant with their mosquito precautions, particularly heading into the long weekend, but also with Easter coming up,” he said.
“We do have cases from a wide range of places and that’s why we’re putting this up as statewide advice.
“There have been some trips to the regions, including the River and Murraylands, but really we can’t rule out that this is more widespread and that’s why we’re really emphasising for everyone to take precautions.”
Lease said people could get vaccinated to protect themselves from Japanese encephalitis, but there was currently short supply.
“We are looking to roll out the vaccine a little more extensively really targeting those people most at risk,” he said.
“At the moment right across Australia there’s a very high demand for it and we’re working with the Commonwealth Government around those vaccine supplies.”
SA Health has advised people to apply an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin when outside, cover up with long, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing, and use mosquito coils.
It comes as South Australia reported another 2560 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday – the highest number since January 21.
Two men in their 90s and a woman in her 70s who tested positive for COVID-19 passed away.
