The man’s death from Japanese encephalitis is the second in NSW in 2025. Photo: File.
A Canberra man in his 70s has died from Japanese encephalitis (JE) while receiving hospital care.
A NSW Health spokesperson said he died on 6 March after acquiring JE while holidaying in the Murrumbidgee region.
According to the World Health Organisation, the virus is related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes.
An ACT Government spokesperson said the man was an ACT resident and offered its “sincere condolences” to his loved ones.
“ACT Health is reminding Canberrans to take mosquito-borne infections seriously and stay vigilant when travelling interstate to areas that are at higher risk of JEV and other mosquito-borne viruses, including parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria,” the spokesperson said.
It is the second death from JE acquired in NSW this year, and the fourth since the virus was first detected in the state in 2022.
The first death was that of a northern Sydney man in his 70s, who died last month.
He had been receiving treatment in a Sydney hospital since early February.
Also, NSW Health said a probable case had been identified in a man in his 20s, who was likely infected while in north-west NSW.
He is the fifth person infected with JE in NSW this season, and has been discharged from hospital to recover at home.
NSW Health executive director of Health Protection Doctor Jeremy McAnulty said it was important people take steps to protect themselves, including getting vaccinated against JE.
“People need to take mosquito borne infections seriously, especially as people start the clean-up from recent floods in an environment where mosquitoes thrive,” Dr McAnulty said.
“Standing water, like that left after mass rainfall and floods, makes for ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
“This increases people’s risk of being bitten, especially if they’re working outdoors.”
NSW Health encourages people to take the following actions to avoid being infected:
- Applying repellent to exposed skin that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming
- Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts and long pants, as well as covered footwear and socks
- Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times (especially dawn and dusk)
- Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (however, mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
- Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
- Removing items that may collect water to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
- Applying child-safe repellants to children
- Protecting infants younger than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting that is secured along the edges
- While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net.
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