Insect repellents are the most common way to prevent mozzie bites. Here’s what the science says about their safety profile.
Articles on Japanese encephalitis virus
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Mosquito bites are more than annoying. They can also spread potentially deadly diseases.
This summer is expected to be dry and hot. Here’s what that means for the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
Murray Valley encephalitis has been detected in south-eastern Australia. No human cases have yet been reported, but past outbreaks after floods show we need to be cautious.
Mozzies can make you sick by injecting a cocktail of saliva and virus when they bite. Ross River virus has long been a risk but now we’re also contending with the more serious Japanese encephalitis.
Around 99% of people infected with JEV will have no or very mild symptoms. But in less than 1% of cases, it can become serious.
Top contributors
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Clinical Associate Professor, School of Medical Science & Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute; Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney
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Senior Lecturer of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, University of Sydney
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Associate Professor, Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney
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Lecturer in Epidemiology and One Health, University of Sydney