Japanese encephalitis virus declared ‘nationally significant’ as NSW woman in intensive care

Virus spreads through mosquito bites and people in regional areas who are in contact with pigs may be at particular risk

Australia's chief medical officer has beefed up the nation's response to the Japanese encephalitis virus as New South Wales reports its first case.

NSW Health confirmed on Friday night a woman from the NSW-Victoria border region was in intensive care in a stable condition with the virus, marking the state's first case after outbreaks in Queensland and Victoria.