<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Just days after </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/japanese-encephalitis-detected-horsham-victoria/4cfcd9fc-f3ef-49dd-b9be-c8a72815ba63" rel="" target="_blank" title="Japanese encephalitis was detected for the first time this season in Victoria"><span>Japanese encephalitis was detected for the first time this season in Victoria</span></a><span>, a second mosquito-borne virus has reared its head across the border.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Health said Kunjin virus had been detected at Cowra in the state's west.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The virus was found in a blood sample from a sentinel chicken on November 20, collected as part of NSW Health's routine surveillance.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jacinta-allan-victoria-1000-public-service-jobs-to-go-in-huge-budget-cuts/3aed8f6d-4a57-4006-a356-9334d91e4047" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Victorian government to slash 1000 jobs in brutal $4bn cost-cutting mission</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Health's director of health protection Dr Stephen Conaty said the detections so early in the summer season were concerning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Mosquito numbers will likely increase with warmer weather, and we remind everyone in NSW to protect themselves against mosquito bites, which can cause diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis, and infection with Kunjin virus, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus," Conaty said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are now </span><a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/jev/pages/vaccination.aspx" rel="" target="_blank" title="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/jev/pages/vaccination.aspx"><span>60 NSW LGAs</span></a><span> that are considered to be higher risk of Japanese encephalitis virus.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/kunjin-virus-mosquito-borne-disease-detected-in-nsw/6059fba1-fd06-4b0d-82af-f218447c9a2c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-sydney-weather-heatwave-warning-fire-danger/ef641ef3-8330-4951-895c-bc3f5ba19b24" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Scorching heatwave to smother major city as hot air mass moves across state</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents and travellers to these LGAs should take particular care to avoid mosquito bites.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is a safe, effective and free vaccine to protect against Japanese encephalitis (JE)," Conaty said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This vaccine is free to anyone who lives or routinely works in these 60 LGAs west of the dividing range and in northern NSW, and for people who work in some other high-risk occupations."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/jeffrey-epstein-private-island-photos-released-by-us-democrats/8d16588d-2e86-4ea9-94e0-0437fe1d8fe4" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Unseen images of Jeffrey Epstein's private island revealed</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>JE vaccine is available through general practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>People who meet the </span><a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx" rel="" target="_blank" title="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx"><span>eligibility criteria</span></a><span> should make an appointment ahead of time and let the provider know it is for the JE vaccine. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These providers may require a few days' notice so they can order the vaccine and may charge a consultation fee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A booster dose may be recommended for some people with ongoing risk of exposure, one to two years after completing their primary course.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other than the JE vaccine, there is no vaccination or specific treatment for Kunjin virus or other mosquito-borne diseases in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Most people infected with Kunjin virus will suffer no symptoms. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those who do may suffer fever, enlarged lymph nodes, rashes, swollen and aching joints, headaches, muscle weakness, and fatigue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those who do show symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Severe infections can lead to lifelong neurological complications and even death.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The best way to avoid infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which are more active between dusk and dawn.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>People can take actions such as applying insect repellent to exposed skin, wearing long sleeves and leggings with socks and covered footwear, and staying inside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mosquito-borne diseases cannot be transmitted directly between humans or from any other animal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available </span><a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx" rel="" target="_blank" title="online here"><span>online here</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Information on mosquito protection can be </span><a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes" rel="" target="_blank" title="found here"><span>found here</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a 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