Australia’s acting chief medical officer has declared that a national response is needed to clamp down on an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Dr. Sonya Bennett declared the virus a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance on March 4, as health officials deal with the emergence of 16 cases of the disease, according to figures obtained by AAP. “A national working group of communicable disease, vaccine, and arbovirus experts has been established to support the response, including mosquito surveillance and control measures and identification of those at direct risk, and for the rollout of vaccines,” she said in a statement. “Public health communications regarding mosquito protection will target affected communities.” “The Australian government’s health and agriculture departments are working very closely with their state government counterparts to ensure a swift and coordinated response.” JEV is transmitted through mosquito bites and mostly occurs in pigs or horses. Pigs, however, carry …