As part of the national response to the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) outbreak, SA Health is offering free Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines to eligible people. This includes groups identified for priority vaccination by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA). SA Health has now expanded the eligibility criteria to the communities with a high risk of exposure to JEV from infected mosquitos. With a wet summer and flooding expected across the Riverland, Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier has stated that this “will create greater mosquito breeding habitat and conditions that support the transmission of mosquito borne diseases”. SA Health is reminding anyone eligible working or living in the Murray River, Lakes, and the Coorong communities to protect themselves against being bitten by mosquitoes and to consider getting vaccinated against JEV in preparation for the anticipated rise in mosquito numbers.
For further information and vaccine eligibility criteria refer to SA Health, JEV information for Health Professionals page.
