Japanese encephalitis clinical update: Changing diseases under a changing climate

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus endemic to the Asia-Pacific that causes high morbidity and mortality in those who develop symptomatic disease. Prior to 2021, only five locally acquired cases had been detected in Australia, all in northern Australia. Following a sentinel case in 2021, widespread dissemination of JEV was detected in northern and south-eastern Australia, accompanied by an increase in locally acquired cases, which have been detected as far south as Victoria. This expansion has occurred in the setting of warmer and wetter conditions under the influence of climate change.

To provide Australian general practitioners (GPs) an overview of JEV, given its recent expansion, and the potential for sustained endemicity.

As the distribution of JEV expands under the influence of climate change, Australian GPs need to be familiar with this condition, especially those practicing in rural areas and where detections have occurred.