Veterinarians warn horse owners in Australia’s flood zones to guard against Japanese encephalitis

Stagnant flood water and warm weather has created a ‘perfect storm’ for mosquito-borne diseases across southeastern Australia, veterinarians have said. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Veterinarians have warned horse owners to be on the lookout for symptoms of Japanese encephalitis as widespread flooding and warmer days creates “the perfect storm” for mosquito-borne diseases across eastern Australia.

It comes as the Australian Medical Association has urged people to protect themselves against mosquito bites and to get vaccinated for Japanese encephalitis if they are eligible, after a slow vaccine uptake in at-risk communities.