Darling Downs Health urge Goondiwindi residents to vaccinate after mosquito-born virus detected

Southern Queensland residents have been urged to vaccinate against a potentially deadly virus after a recent confirmed case in the state. SEE THE LATEST.

A positive case of Japanese encephalitis has been confirmed in Queensland and is suspected to have been contracted in the Goondiwindi region.

Health professionals are urging a southern Queensland community to check they’re vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus after a confirmed case in the state.

Darling Downs Health has said the man who is the confirmed case is currently hospitalised at Townsville University Hospital and likely became infected while visiting Yelarbon, near Goondiwindi over Christmas.

The flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses that can be spread by some, but not all types of mosquitoes.

Goondiwindi residents are being urged to vaccinate after a positive case of Japanese encephalitis in a man who had visited the Yelarbon area over the Christmas period. Photo: DDHS

Darling Downs public health physician Dr Mikaela Seymour said Darling Downs Health is working with key stakeholders across the Goondiwindi region to assess the risk to community.

“JEV infection is preventable through vaccination and avoidance of mosquito bites,” she said.

“Thankfully, many of our community members around Goondiwindi had already received the vaccine in 2022/23 and are therefore protected against this virus.

“We’re urging all remaining eligible members of the community to take this simple step to arm yourselves and your families against JEV.”

Goondiwindi Regional Council has also issued press release advising residents to continue to remain diligent in protecting themselves against mosquito bites.

Council are working with the Queensland Government’s Department of Primary Industried and Queensland Health to ascertain more details.

The warning comes as the majority of JEV cases are asymptomatic, with less than one per cent of those infected developing the disease.

Symptoms may include a fever and headache, or abdominal pain and vomiting in children, concerned residents should seek medical advice.

In addition to vaccinating, Darling Downs Health advises community members to continue mosquito safe behaviours such as wearing light colours, long sleeves, using insect replant outdoors and mosquito screens indoors.