Fed: eight people hit by Aust encephalitis

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2000
Fed: eight people hit by Aust encephalitis

A flush of life after heavy rain in the Red Centre has brought eight cases of the potentially
fatal mosquito-borne disease, Australian encephalitis.

Two babies and a four-year-old are among those hospitalised after being infected by
mosquitoes which have bred freely after the inland flooding.

Dr VICKI KRAUSE, director of the Centre for Disease Control in the Northern Territory,
says a three-month-old NT baby is in a stable condition at Adelaide after being on the
critical list.

The NT has had four cases and four more have been reported in Western Australia.

Dr KRAUSE says the NT cases are the first to be reported in seven years.

Overseas backpackers and Easter holidaymakers have been warned to be vigilant about
personal protection because they will have no immunity against disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Repellants, long-sleeved clothing and mosquito nets are vital to combat the spread
of encephalitis, for which there is no vaccine or treatment.

Medical advice should be sought promptly for symptoms which include severe headache,
neck stiffness, high fever, and seizures.

The disease can progress to delirium, coma and death.

Health authorities also warn two other mosquito-borne viruses, Ross River and Barmah
Forest, are also active.

AAP RTV rr/sc/gmw/jn

KEYWORD: ENCEPHALITIS (BRISBANE)

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