Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) causes Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which is a rare but serious disease. So far in 2025, there have been five JE infections acquired in NSW and two deaths.
JEV is spread to people through mosquito bites. After heavy rain or flooding, water can collects in places like buckets, pot plants and their bases, plastic containers, trailers, and tarpaulins. These pools of standing water create perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, allowing their numbers to grow quickly and increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like JEV.
There is a free JEV vaccine which is strongly recommended for people (aged over 2 months) who are living, working or visiting high-risk areas. These areas include 60 LGAs in NSW. Preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to protect yourself and your community from mosquito-borne diseases like JEV. While a vaccine is available for JEV, many other mosquito-borne illnesses do not have vaccines. That’s why it’s important to follow the four key steps:
“Spray up, Cover up, Screen up, Clean up!” Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, ensure your home has fly screens, and remove any standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed.
Please contact Publichealth@ahmrc.org.au for further information.
