Japanese encephalitis information for veterinarians

In early 2022, Japanese encephalitis (JE) was detected in piggeries in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Since then, there has been broad geographical distribution of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) detections and the disease is considered established on the Australian mainland.

The risks of transmission of JEV in any given area are likely to vary seasonally and between years, depending on weather and other local factors. In tropical areas, JEV circulates more or less continuously between mosquitoes, birds and pigs. JEV should be considered a potential risk when mosquitoes are present and mosquito management should be included as part of biosecurity planning.

Veterinarians play an important role in the surveillance of zoonotic emergency animal disease such as JE.

JE is a reportable disease in Queensland. If you suspect JE in any animal, submit samples for diagnostic testing as soon as possible.