Japanese encephalitis is a rare but potentially deadly illness. Photo: Southern NSW Local Health District.
A vaccine program for a rare mosquito-borne illness has been expanded within southern NSW.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a rare but serious illness spread by infected mosquitoes. It cannot be transmitted directly between humans or from any other animal.
The virus was most recently detected by NSW Health on 25 February in sentinel chickens at Hay in the western Riverina.
The chickens are tested regularly to provide early warnings about the presence of mosquito-borne viruses, putting them on the frontline in our fight against them.
In early January JE was also detected in a blood sample from a sentinel chicken at a site near Goulburn.
A free vaccine is currently available until the start of winter.
As of this month, the program has been expanded to people living or working in Yass Valley.
The Armidale, Ballina, Bathurst, Byron, Oberon, Tweed and Walcha local government areas will also benefit from the expansion.
NSW Health Director One Health Branch Keira Glasgow urged people to get vaccinated.
“There is no specific treatment for JE virus so prevention through vaccination is essential,” Ms Glasgow said.
“People planning to travel to the high-risk regions in the school holidays should have a discussion with their vaccination provider as soon as possible, as protection from the vaccine can take up to two weeks to develop.”
According to the NSW Health website, the areas of high concern span much of the state, including Cootamundra-Gundagai, Leeton, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Hilltops, Junee, Upper Lachlan, Wagga Wagga and Yass Valley.
The JE vaccine is available through general practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists.
People who meet the eligibility criteria for vaccination should make an appointment with their GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or pharmacy and let the provider know they want the JE vaccine.
This is because the provider may need to order the vaccine, which can take several days.
“One of the reasons we have temporarily expanded access to the JE vaccine is because we are experiencing a prolonged mosquito season,” Ms Glasgow said.
“The majority of confirmed cases have been from people visiting these high-risk areas for outdoor recreation so we are urging people to protect themselves against mosquito bites, particularly if planning a camping or fishing trip in the coming weeks.”
A booster dose may be recommended for some people.
Those who have been vaccinated more than a year ago should discuss whether they need one with their healthcare provider.
You can also prevent mosquito bites by:
- Applying repellent to exposed skin, using repellents that contains DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Reapplying repellent regularly (with sunscreen used first and then the repellent)
- Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and covered footwear
- Staying inside during peak mosquito times (especially dawn and dusk)
- Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (with mosquito coils only to be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
- Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking that there are no gaps
- Removing items that may collect water from your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
- Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting that is secured along the edges
- While camping, sleeping under a mosquito net or using a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
JE can cause severe neurological illness that can cause headache, confusion, convulsions and reduced consciousness.
Several people have died from JE, including two men from northern Sydney and Canberra, who died in early 2025 after likely contracting the virus while on holidays in the Murrumbidgee area.
Further information on eligibility for the free JE vaccine is available online.
