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Page 4 %u2013 Australian Pork Newspaper, March 2025 www.porknews.com.auJAPANESE encephalitis virus has been detected at two piggeries in southern Queensland. There have also been recent detections in NSW and Victoria.JEV is a zoonotic disease spread by mosquitoes that can cause reproductive issues in pigs and neurological signs in horses, such as lack of coordination, difficulty swallowing and impaired vision.These are the first detections of JEV in animals in Queensland since July 2022. JEV is considered established in mainland Australia, so the detections are not unexpected.Biosecurity Queensland urges all pig keepers and horse owners to take preventative action to prevent the spread of JEV, monitor susceptible animals for any signs of disease and report any suspected cases to your local veterinarian.In rare cases, JEV can cause disease in humans.Reducing exposure to infected mosquitoes is the key to avoiding JEV for yourself and your animals.Advice for pig ownersPeople working with pigs, including those who may have a small herd or pet, should take steps to control mosquitoes, as well as continue to use effective biosecurity measures. You can help protect your animals from JEV by including mosquito management in your biosecurity plan.The most common clinical signs in pigs are abortions, mummified or malformed foetuses and stillborn or weak piglets.Pig owners are asked to be vigilant for signs of this disease and investigate unexplained abortions or stillbirths.People who work or live near pigs, both domesticated and feral, are being urged to get vaccinated against JEV.To protect yourself and your staff, mosquito control measures need to be implemented in piggeries:%u2022 Cover-up with a loose-fitting longsleeved shirt and long pants when outside or in naturally ventilated sheds%u2022 Use mosquito repellent containing DEET or picaridin on all exposed skin, re-apply repellent according to label recommendations%u2022 Ensure mosquito control measures occur regularly on your property, including treating or removing potential mosquito breeding sites.Contact your herd veterinarian or the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, if you suspect JEV infection on your farm. JEV and humansJEV cannot be acquired by eating the meat of an infected animal and does not spread directly between people.SunPork Group chief executive officer and managing director Professor Robert van Barneveld said at least one piggery was JEV positive but that he expected animal health and business impacts to be minimal.Adding that the effects on pigs is sporadic, intermittent and generally short lived, and pigs are only one potential host, which also includes humans and horses.%u201cBut the reality is that if a human gets bitten by a mosquito in a region where there%u2019s JEV, one of the consequences is serious %u2013 it could be death,%u201d Prof van Barneveld said.%u201cYou need to take precautions to ensure that your mosquito control and your vaccinations are up to date.%u201dThe first locally acquired human case of Japanese encephalitis virus since 2022 was detected in Queensland in January.Recently, JEV was detected in mosquito populations in Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Monto, as well as in mosquito and feral pig populations in NSW.Queensland Health chief health officer Heidi Carroll said notifications of mosquitoborne illnesses typically started to rise in February as mosquito populations increased.JEV infections in people usually cause no symptoms, however some infected people experience an illness with fever, headache and vomiting, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors or other serious neurological disorders.If you experience any of these symptoms immediately seek medical attention.In 2022, Australia experienced a deadly outbreak of JEV in domestic pigs, with detections in more than 80 piggeries in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.Seven people died after contracting the virus. Mark these dates in your calendarSubmissions close 28th April 2025Visit the website for more detailswww.apsa.asn.auLorem ipsum17th - 19th November 2025The Australasian Pig Science Association is pleased to announce thatthe 2025 APSA Biennial Conference will be held at the RACV City Club, Melbourne VIC, AustraliaOne Page Paper Submissions Now OpenAustralasian Pig Science Association (Inc)RACV City Club, Melbourne, Australia17th - 19thNovember 2025APSA 202520TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCEBiosecurity Queensland urges all pig keepers to take preventative action to prevent the spread of JEV. Photo: Giulia BotanJapanese encephalitis virus detected in pigs in QueenslandThe spread pathway of Japanese encephalitis virus.