Liberal candidate for Nicholls Steve Brooks said he was particularly concerned for two children from the electorate hospitalised with the virus and urged the community to take the outbreak seriously.
Mr Brooks, who has spoken to the office of Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt about the outbreak response said there were 20 cases of severe encephalitis in people nationally that had not been specifically isolated as Japanese encephalitis.
Agriculture Victoria said cases were now confirmed at six piggeries in Victoria located in the local government areas of greater Shepparton, Loddon, Campaspe, Wangaratta, Gannawarra and greater Bendigo.
The detection in City of Greater Shepparton was one of three confirmed on the weekend by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
Agriculture Victoria said staff were continuing surveillance activities and providing information and advice to farmers.
JEV occurs most commonly in pigs and horses and could cause reproductive losses for susceptible animal species.
Humans could be impacted if bitten by an infected mosquito.
Six people hospitalised with JEV in Victoria all had extensive mosquito exposure before illness onset and were in areas near the Murray River.
Victorian chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke urged anyone who owned pigs or horses to take steps to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
“We encourage pig farmers and horse owners to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds near their animals, such as stagnant water, to reduce the chances of them being bitten,” he said.
Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton issued advice for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
This includes wearing long, loose-fitting clothes outdoors and using effective mosquito repellents containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin and trying to limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes were around.
People cannot be infected by eating pig meat. Pork meat or pork products are safe to consume.
Nationally agreed movement restrictions have been applied to infected pig properties to reduce the spread of the disease in pigs.
Japanese encephalitis is a notifiable disease under the Livestock Disease Control Act and could be notified through the 24-hour emergency animal disease watch hotline on 1800 675 888.
22°C