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Japanese encephalitis virus in Australia (New South Wales)

01 March 2022

Health authorities in New South Wales have warned that Japanese encephalitis virus has been found in samples from pig farms in southern and western parts of the state.

At this time, there have been no human cases but it is likely that the virus is circulating in mosquito. People in New South Wales are advised to avoid mosquito bites.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne virus which affects the central nervous system. It most common around areas of rice and pig farming. JE is transmitted from animals (mainly pigs/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 Japanese encephalitis
  • 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

When to consider vaccination

For most travellers the risk of acquiring infection will be very small, but consider vaccinating those:

  • frequently exposed to bites in rural infected areas (e.g. backpackers, agricultural workers, volunteers)
  • at ongoing risk or repeatedly visiting 'high risk' areas (e.g. flood plains, rice paddies, marshlands, pig farms)
  • staying for short periods during epidemics/outbreaks
  • staying for long periods (e.g. more than one month) in infected areas
  • going to live in an endemic area

For further information, see the Japanese Encephalitis page