Residents in the Lismore, Richmond Valley and Kyogle shires are being encouraged by NSW Health to visit their GP or local pharmacy to be vaccinated against the Japanese encephalitis virus before summer starts.

NSW Health has said the Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus has been detected in Western, Northern and Southern NSW. Lismore, Richmond Valley and Kyogle were added to the free vaccination list in April this year.

JE is a serious illness spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. In NSW this year, five people have acquired JE, one from Northern NSW, and sadly, two of these people have died.

In NSW, the JE virus vaccine is available for free for people aged two months or older who live or work (including volunteer deployments) in any of the defined high-risk Local Government Areas and are at risk of mosquito bites.

A JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal health services and pharmacists. People should make an appointment and let the provider know it is for the JE vaccine, as they may require a few days' notice to order the vaccine. Once vaccinated, protection can take up to two weeks to develop.

There is no specific treatment for JE. In some cases, JE can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions, reduced consciousness and death.

A NSW Health email said, "It is strongly recommended that everyone who lives or works in areas where there’s a high risk of catching Japanese encephalitis get vaccinated against the virus. 

"If you work with pigs, mosquitoes or in a laboratory where you could be exposed to the virus, you are in the highest risk category. 

"The Japanese encephalitis vaccine has been proven to be both safe and effective. The vaccine is available for free to everyone aged 2 months and older who lives or works in high-risk areas of NSW. Some providers may charge a fee for consultation or administration of the vaccine."

Be ready before summer    

"It can take 2 to 4 weeks for your body to develop a protective immune response to the virus once fully vaccinated, so we encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"Have you already been vaccinated? Check with your GP or pharmacist if you require a booster dose. 

"Book an appointment with your GP, pharmacist or the Aboriginal Medical Service to discuss vaccination and to support others in your community to do the same." 

As many people will enjoy the great outdoors this summer and over the school holiday period, here are some simple actions you can take to protect yourself from mosquitoes:

• Apply repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times.
• Re-apply repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Always apply SPF 50+ sunscreen first before applying repellent.
• Use repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions.
• Wear light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks.
• Avoid going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk.
• Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas).
• Cover windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps.
• Remove items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed.
• Protect infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges.
• While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net.