JAPANESE encephalitis has been detected at a further two piggeries in the state, bringing the total number of detections in SA to six.
The additional two detections are located in the local government areas of Clare and Gilbert Valleys and Goyder, while the existing six are in Loxton Waikerie, Murray Bridge and Coorong.
In addition to the confirmed pig detections, PIRSA has also detected a case of Japanese encephalitis in an alpaca in the Adelaide Plains.
JE's normal lifecycle is between waterbirds and mosquitoes, and can on occasion spill over to pigs and horses, and to humans.
Alpacas, like horses, are considered a 'dead-end' host, meaning they do not carry a blood infection that will reinfect mosquitoes.
PIRSA chief veterinary officer Dr Mary Carr said all landholders must take mosquito management seriously to prevent the disease.
"Mosquitoes carry the disease, so removing potential breeding sites on your property is really important," she said.
"As well as controlling mosquitoes on your property, the most effective way to reduce the risk of JE is to prevent mosquitoes biting your animals, and also protect yourself.
"The disease is present across four states so regardless of location, all people should put measures in place to prevent mosquito bites.
"While these animals were likely to have been infected months ago in January and February, these detections show our enhanced surveillance activities for JE are working and assist our understanding of this disease in the SA environment."
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Japanese encephalitis is a notifiable disease and animal owners must report any signs to their private vet or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
PIRSA will cover the testing costs while JE surveillance continues.
In pigs the most common clinical signs of JE are mummified and stillborn or weak piglets, some with neurological signs.
In horses and alpacas most animals infected do not show symptoms, with a small number developing neurological signs due to an encephalitis.
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