Brisbane residents have been tried and tested over the last few weeks.
First the omicron wave, then a devastating flood and now the threat of a deadly mosquito-borne virus.
Queensland Heath has confirmed the first human case of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) in the state, with the patient being treated in a Brisbane hospital.
The World Health Organisation says that fatality rates in JEV patients can be as high as 30% and that “permanent neurologic or psychiatric sequelae can occur in 30%–50%”.
This is concerning because recent flooding and rain could see mosquito populations boom across the South East and in turn increase the potential for deadly diseases to spread.
To combat the concern, Labor Opposition Councillors are calling on the LNP-run Brisbane City Council to launch an immediate mozzie control blitz across the city.
“There is no time for stalling on this issue, Brisbane City Council needs to respond
hard and fast to limit the potential for JEV spread,” Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said.
“The health and wellbeing of residents is of paramount importance and Council should be doing everything in its power to ensure they’re as safe as possible while trying to restore this city.
“Brisbane City Council has access to the federal and state government’s Disaster
Recovery Fund for these exact situations and we need to be asking for those funds
to run a mosquito control blitz now, before it’s too late.”
