Department of Primary Industries and Regions (SA) (PIRSA), Media Release, first issued 4 March 2022, reissued statewide 7 March 2022
The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus has been detected in a commercial South Australian piggery. The disease has also been confirmed in piggeries in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
There are no food safety issues associated with eating pork meat or pork products due to this disease. Shoppers are encouraged to support local farmers by continuing to buy Australian pork.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has established an incident management team, and is working closely with industry on this response. Staff on the ground are conducting surveillance activities and providing information and advice to farmers.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mary Carr said that the mosquito-borne disease causes reproductive failure in pigs, primarily through stillbirths and piglets showing neurological signs including paddling, tremors or convulsions.
“The normal lifecycle of JE is between waterbirds and mosquitos, which may then accidentally spill over to pigs and horses. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus after feeding off an infected animal, and once infected, mosquitoes can spread the virus over long distances,” said Dr Carr.
“There is no treatment available for livestock which have JE, and I emphasise that mosquito management and prevention of mosquito bites is key to preventing the spread of this disease.
“People can also become infected through mosquito bites. PIRSA and SA Health are working closely together, with local industry, and with our interstate counterparts to understand the implications, and to communicate to farmers how they can reduce the risk of human exposure.”
PIRSA is also encouraging horse owners to protect their horses as they are susceptible to Japanese encephalitis if bitten by infected mosquitoes.
Symptoms in horses include lethargy, nervous signs or sometimes hyperexcitability. There have been no confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis in horses in Australia.
“We encourage horse owners to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds near their horses, such as stagnant water, to reduce the chances of them being bitten,” Dr Carr said.
“Horse owners can also stable their animals at night, use a light cotton rug and fly mask and apply a safe insect repellent.”
Japanese encephalitis is a notifiable disease and any suspect cases must be reported. PIRSA urges animal owners to report any cases of unexplained pig deaths, especially piglets, or unexplained horse illnesses, to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For more information, visit pir.sa.gov.au/je-virus and outbreak.gov.au
Related story: Japanese encephalitis detected in Eastern Australia.
