Cape York Weekly FREE – #089 | Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG & OLD Jan Bardsley-Smith wasn’t afraid of this little croc as she showed it off to intrigued youngsters at the Roaming Wild exhibit at the Discovery Festival. Event coverage – Page 3 & 10-15
DOCTOR NAMED BUSH LEGEND Page 2
LAURA GEARED UP FOR EVENT Page 7
AUSTRALIA DAY UNDER-8s DAY CELEBRATIONS Page 16 & 17 Pages 8 & 9
Feral pigs test positive to Japanese encephalitis
Virus found in Cape By MATT NICHOLLS
CAPE York residents and tourists are being encouraged to cover up and wear insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites after the Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in feral pigs near Skardon River. JEV cannot be spread from the
EXCLUSIVE
pigs to humans, experts say, but are transmitted by mosquitoes. Health officials said Cape York residents should not be alarmed by the presence of the virus in pigs, but should remain diligent.
A spokesperson from Biosecurity Queensland confirmed on Monday morning that a small number of feral pigs on Cape York had tested positive to JEV. “Samples were taken as part of ongoing Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy surveillance activities,” they said.
2022
STATE OF
“While JEV has been detected in feral pigs interstate, this is the first detection in Queensland. “Landholders in the area, and other stakeholders have been advised.” Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Richard Gair said the risk to the public was minimal.
ORIGIN
“It’s important to understand that JEV is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites only,” he said on Monday. “It cannot be transmitted from human-to-human or direct from pigs, or by consuming pork or pig products.” Full story – Page 5
GAME 2
SUN JUNE 26
GAME 3
WED JULY 13
LIVE AND LOUD ON OUR MASSIVE OUTDOOR CINEMA SCREEN