Outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Australia

In March 2022, Australian health authorities confirmed an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Japanese encephalitis is caused by a virus found in pigs and wading birds but can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Japanese encephalitis has been widespread in the northern part of Queensland, Cape York Peninsula, and the islands in the Torres Strait for several years.

In February 2022, Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in pigs on several pig farms in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Since then, 42 cases of Japanese encephalitis in humans have been confirmed. Four people have died from Japanese encephalitis, two in New South Wales, one in South Australia, and one in Victoria. This is the first time an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis has been seen in the southern part of Australia. It is believed that the disease has spread through migratory wading birds.