Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-02-07 Daily Xml

Contents

Japanese Encephalitis

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS ().1 November 2022).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has been advised:

A commonsense approach should be taken to the interpretation of what is considered 'outdoors', noting that the purposes of the Japanese encephalitis vaccination program is to target Japanese encephalitis vaccination to those who are at most risk of being bitten by mosquitoes that may carry the Japanese encephalitis virus.

If a workplace is unable to exclude mosquitoes, then people working in that premises would be considered at equivalent risk to people working or spending time outdoors. Scenarios that could be envisaged where this would apply could include plant nurseries, warehouses or other large-scale workplaces where the doors are constantly open or where there is constant flow of unfiltered/screened air between the outdoors and the indoor spaces. Workers at these types of facilities located in the defined zone would be eligible for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

Employers should also take measures to minimise mosquitoes in their workplaces, such as ensuring they cover or remove any sources of standing water.

For more information on mosquito bite prevention, employers and workers are encouraged to visit the Fight The Bite website.