Japanese encephalitis in Australia: Victoria, New South Wales & Queensland

19 Mar 2025

Health authorities in three Australian States have reported cases Japanese encephalitis (JE) during the current mosquito season. Japanese encephalitis virus has also been found in mosquitoes, pigs and other animals.

In New South Wales, there have been 2 deaths from Japanese encephalitis (JE) this year, with a total of 5 cases since the start of the mosquito season. The most recent death was on 6 March 2025 - a man who is believed to have been infected in the Murrumbidgee area.

On 3 March 2025, Victoria reported a second case of JE has been identified in northern Victoria, with likely exposure in the Riverina region of New South Wales on the Murray River.

Queensland reported a case of JE in January 2025, likely to have been infected in the Darling Downs area. Japanese encephalitis Virus (JEV) has been detected in the Brisbane area in recent weeks.

Japanese encephalitis is an infection spread from animals (mainly pigs or birds) to humans through mosquito bites. The infection can cause inflammation of the brain. The mosquito that spreads the infection bites people mostly in the evening hours.

Advice for Travellers

The risk for most travellers to countries which are endemic or with an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis is very small. This risk is greater if you will be:

• travelling to remote or rural areas during transmission seasons
• participating in outdoor activities especially around pig farms, rice fields or wetlands where the mosquitoes feed (bite) during evening hours
• travelling to a risk area for a prolonged period of time

The best way to protect yourself against Japanese Encephalitis is by avoiding mosquito bites, especially in the evening when this mosquito is most active.

Before you travel, consider how you will protect yourself from mosquito bites during your trip. This involves:

• using good quality insect repellents
• wearing the right clothing to protect your skin from bites
• using a mosquito net
• reducing the number of mosquitos in and around your accommodation

You should also be aware of how to treat bites if they occur.

A vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is available for those considered to be at high risk.

For further information, see the Japanese Encephalitis page.