Japanese Encephalitis Virus Detected in Australia: One Man Critical

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An Australian is in critical condition in Melbourne after contracting Japanese encephalitis, a rare virus spread by mosquito bites.

Victoria’s Department of Health recently issued a warning about a probable human case of Japanese encephalitis virus in a northern Victoria resident.

A GoFundMe page states that Stevie Bond is fighting for his life at St Vincent’s Hospital and is now in a critical condition after contracting the virus.

“In early December, Stevie returned from work and told the love of his life Cilla that he had a headache and fever,” his brother John wrote.

Bond called his wife from his work in Finley, a town near the Victorian border in New South Wales (NSW). His wife sensed that he sounded different and took him to the Shepparton Hospital in Victoria.

Several days later, Bond’s health deteriorated and he was transferred to intensive care before being airlifted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition.

“19 days on and Stevie remains in a critical condition. Two days ago it was confirmed that he has Japanese encephalitis,” the family said.

“This beautiful, kind, loving, funny, and much-loved man is fighting for his life. It’s unimaginable to think how a bloody mosquito can do this to this beautiful country boy with a heart of gold and put his family through their darkest days.”

A spokesperson for St Vincent’s Hospital told The Epoch Times, “St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is currently caring for one Japanese encephalitis patient, who is in a critical condition.”

Victoria’s Department of Health said the Japanese encephalitis virus had also been detected via environmental surveillance in northern Victoria along the Murray River.

Acting Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath noted that the virus had also been found in mosquitoes and feral pigs in NSW this summer.

“These findings indicate that JE virus is likely circulating in northern Victoria this summer,” an alert noted.

“Residents and people visiting northern Victoria, particularly inland riverine regions and near the Murray River, are potentially at higher risk of infection and should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.”

The virus can cause a rare and serious infection to the brain. It is spread to humans via bites from infected mosquitoes. There is no evidence it can be transmitted between humans.

The health department advises residents to avoid mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent containing picaridin or diethyltoluamide (DEET) on all exposed skin.

The department is carrying out mosquito testing over the summer to help identify high-risk areas for the virus.

“Anyone is potentially at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and while most bites will only cause minor swelling and irritation, an infected mosquito can transmit potentially serious diseases, including Japanese encephalitis virus,” the department said.

“People with increased exposure to mosquitoes may be at a higher risk of infection, particularly people camping, working, or spending time outdoors in inland riverine regions and along the Murray River.”

Encephalitis Risks in NSW

In New South Wales, mosquito monitoring has also detected Japanese encephalitis in the Moree area, with other viruses such as Murray Valley encephalitis and Ross River fever posing additional risks.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty, NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, said mosquitoes thrive in warm conditions.

“Each year from November to April, NSW Health undertakes surveillance across the state, to provide important information about when mosquito-borne disease risk is elevated,” he said.

The department also noted that Murray Valley encephalitis had been detected in sentinel chicken flocks in Cowra and West Wyalong in samples collected in December 2024.

Both of these mosquito-spread viruses can cause severe brain swelling and even death, the department advised. Symptoms of brain swelling include neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and coma.

“These detections indicate the risk for mosquito-borne virus transmission is widespread, particularly in the 55 NSW local government areas that are at higher risk of JE in the inland regions,” McAnulty added.

“I encourage anyone planning to spend time outdoors in these higher-risk areas to take steps to protect against mosquito bites.”