Japanese Encephalitis: Emergence in Australia

Abstract Purpose of Review Recent changes in Japanese encephalitis (JE) distribution, including its emergence mainland Australia, call for a review the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention this important disease. Findings Climate change, urbanisation vector ecology have driven JE epidemiology expansion to new areas. Residents travellers endemic areas face potential exposure risks. Surveillance gaps diagnostic challenges lead under-appreciation true disease burden. Treatment is supportive, but modern vaccines are safe efficacious. Summary The recent south-eastern Australia highlights changing threat poses other with largely naive human populations competent mosquito vectors vertebrate hosts. Awareness features approaches critical case detection populations, preventive measures vaccination should be advised those risk.