Health experts have urged increased vigilance as more cases of Japanese encephalitis virus emerge across the eastern states, with the deluge of rain and widespread flooding adding to fears of wider transmission.

A woman in her 60s with the virus has been placed on life support at a Brisbane hospital after a camping trip through southern Queensland, the first locally acquired case of Japanese encephalitis in the state in 24 years.

Victorian health authorities are now aware of six suspected cases, aged from four months to 75 years, connected to a piggery near Echuca in the state’s north.

NSW Health confirmed a resident of the NSW-Victoria border region was considered a highly probable case of Japanese encephalitis and was in an intensive care unit in a stable condition.

Luke Grants speaks to the Federal Agriculture minister David Littleproud for the details about how this spreads, what risks exist and how the government intends to keep us safe from this virus.

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