Please distribute to all staff in your facility
JEV has been detected near Griffith, in the Murrumbidgee region of NSW.
• On 3 December 2024, routine testing detected JEV in mosquitoes collected near Griffith in NSW.
• JEV is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It can affect humans and animals,
particularly pigs and waterbirds.
People who are most risk of JEV if they:
• work or recreate outside (e.g., camping, fishing, hiking, gardening) in high-risk areas
• work at or live close to piggeries (if bitten by an infected mosquito, pigs can develop high levels of the
virus, which can then infect more mosquitoes).
The risk of JEV and other mosquito borne infection is increased.
• The long-range Bureau of Meteorology forecast for January to March 2025 is for above average rainfall
for eastern Australia.
• Warmer than average days and nights are likely across NSW.
• These conditions could create an environment for increase mosquito numbers and arbovirus (mosquito
borne virus) activity including JEV, Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE), Kunjin, Ross River virus and Barmah
Forest virus.
Advise patients on how to prevent mosquito borne infections
• Avoid mosquito bites, see: Mosquito-borne diseases
• Encourage free JEV vaccination for people at increased risk, based on their likely exposure to infected
mosquitoes. See Japanese encephalitis vaccination for eligibility criteria.
• See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for information about the vaccine.
The State Vaccine Centre will accept orders for vaccine until 12 pm Wednesday 18 December for dispatch for
delivery Thursday 19 December. Routine deliveries will recommence Monday 6 January 2025.
Severe cases of JEV, MVE and Kunjin may present with neurological symptoms
• Symptoms can include fever, headache, myalgia, rash and diarrhoea.
• Severe cases may have acute encephalitis.
• Symptoms typically begin 5-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
• Many people with infection will have no symptoms.
Testing for JEV and other suspected cases
Please discuss any suspected cases with an Infectious Disease physician.
For additional details on sample requests and collections, see JEV Primary Care Update January 2023
Further advice
• Information on JEV and other mosquito-borne diseases.
o Japanese encephalitis – Information for health professionals
o Japanese encephalitis vaccination