The Department of Health is urging residents and travellers to the Kimberley region to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites over the coming weeks, following evidence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) activity in Derby.
The Department detected flavivirus activity through the sentinel chicken program last month, and follow-up testing confirms JEV activity.
Multiple other sentinel chicken flocks across the east and west Kimberley have also detected flavivirus activity and further testing is underway to determine which viruses are present.
The Department's Executive Director Environmental Health, Dr Michael Lindsay, said it was unusually early in the season for mosquito-borne viruses to be active.
"People in the north of Western Australia need to think about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and getting vaccinated against JEV," Dr Lindsay said.
The risk of JEV infection is low and initial symptoms may include fever, drowsiness, headache, neck stiffness and vomiting.
People experiencing these early symptoms should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
"Japanese encephalitis (JE) can progress to a severe form of the disease that causes swelling of the brain, resulting in muscle stiffness, seizures and in rare cases, death," Dr Lindsay said.
"The best way to prevent JE and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes."
Japanese encephalitis is a vaccine-preventable disease.
State-funded JEV vaccines are available for people in the highest risk groups in the Kimberley region and parts of the East Pilbara.
Speak to your Aboriginal medical service, GP, other immunisation provider or visit the Healthy WA website
