December 12, 2022

Australia in process of getting animal vaccines to protect pigs from  Japanese encephalitis virus

Australia's federal government has confirmed it is in the process of obtaining vaccines internationally for horses and pigs to protect them from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).

Days after the South Australian government extended its JEV vaccination programme to at-risk shack owners along the Murray River, a departmental spokesperson from the federal government said it was in discussions with international manufacturers for vaccines appropriate for use on animals.

Horses and piglets are most at risk of getting sick from JEV, with infected horses known to suffer brain inflammation and become dull, recumbent and tired. If a pig becomes infected while pregnant, the piglet usually dies.

"If pigs are infected when they're very young, you can get some neurological signs as well, so staggers, tremors, with very young piglets," the chief veterinary officer of PIRSA, Mary Carr, said.

The departmental spokesperson said vaccines were a key measure to reduce the impact of JEV in livestock.

Work is currently underway to determine the best type of vaccine to use for pigs in Australia.

Pigs and horses are at risk of contracting JEV from mosquitos. "This is important as the strain of JEV in Australia is different to that found overseas," the spokesperson said.

"Work is required to determine whether overseas manufactured vaccines are effective against the strain of JEV circulating in Australia," the spokesperson added. Preliminary results of this work are expected in the first three months of 2023.

- ABC News