JEV in Australia update

As of 14 March 2022, the Australian Department of Health reported 18 cases, including two deaths, of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) across the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. People in these areas are advised to avoid mosquito bites. 

JEV is a mosquito-borne virus which affects the central nervous system and is most commonly found around areas of rice and pig farming, with transmission occurring from animals, mainly pigs or birds, to humans through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito which feeds in the hours around dusk. No human-to human transmission occurs. 

Advice for travellers 

All travellers to endemic countries or outbreak areas are potentially at risk of infection. This risk is greatest for those:

• travelling to rural areas during transmission seasons
• participating in outdoor activities during twilight hours
• travelling for a prolonged period of time

All travellers should be advised on:

• the risks and potentially severe consequences of JEV
• practicing strict mosquito bite avoidance measures, including correct use of insect repellents
• minimising outdoor activities during twilight hours when Culex mosquitoes bite 

Travellers at increased risk of developing severe clinical disease are those:

• with pre-existing chronic medical conditions
• younger than 10 years of age
• older than 50 years of age 

For most travellers the risk of acquiring infection will be very small, but vaccination should be considered among those:

• frequently exposed to bites in rural infected areas, such as backpackers, agricultural workers and volunteers
• at ongoing risk or repeatedly visiting high risk areas, such as flood plains, rice paddies, marshlands and pig farms
• staying for short periods during epidemics
• staying for long periods in infected areas
• going to live in an endemic area 

Further information on JEV can be found on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) webpages.

Source: TRAVAX, 16 March 2022