Japanese Encephalitis: Emergence in Australia and implications for travellers

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious viral infection that occurs in many parts of Asia and is known to cause long-term health issues and even death. In early 2022, we experienced the first-ever JE outbreak in south-eastern Australia, with the virus initially detected in pigs and later in humans across several states.

Our research compiled detailed information about the cases linked to this outbreak and created maps to show where the affected people lived and the areas prioritised for vaccination.

This research highlights the need for continued monitoring and vaccination against JE, especially as climate change may influence the transmission patterns of the virus. While most residents and travellers in Australia are at a low risk for JE, discussions about vaccination are essential, particularly for those traveling to affected areas or spending time outdoors during the transmission season.

Read more:

McGuinness SL, Lau CL, Leder K. The evolving Japanese encephalitis situation in Australia and implications for travel medicine. Journal of Travel Medicine. 2023 Apr 5;30(2):taad029. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taad029.