Japanese Encephalitis Alert
Date posted:
NOTICE TO TRAINERS
JE has now been detected in a small number of feral pigs in the West Daly region in the Northern Territory. Importantly, a program is ongoing to work out how common JE might be in the Territory and to protect the Territory’s health and agribusiness industry.
The JE detection was confirmed through the ongoing increased surveillance program in the Northern Territory.
Horses can also be infected with the virus, but do not pose a risk to people as the level of virus in the blood is too low to reinfect mosquitoes. This applies to most animals, apart from water birds and pigs.
The signs of JE in horses can include elevated temperature; jaundice; lethargy; anorexia, and neurological signs such as incoordination; difficulty swallowing; impaired vision; over-excitement. All neurological signs in horses should be investigated by a veterinarian to rule out JE. You can also visit our website to get more information on JE and animals: nt.gov.au/japanese-encephalitis
If you notice anything unusual or suspicious in your animals, please call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.