Standing at the crossroads: The emergence of Japanese encephalitis in Australia

Abstract

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was detected in pigs (Sus scrofa) in four Australian states in 2022. Human cases, including three deaths, were also reported. Japanese encephalitis virus is maintained in nature in an infection cycle between mosquitos and waterbirds. This outbreak was the first report of ongoing JEV transmission on the Australian mainland. Other members of the JE serogroup, West Nile virus and Murray Valley encephalitis virus, are already established in endemic cycles in Australia and large outbreaks of infection with these viruses have been reported following widespread flooding events. As an arbovirus that affects both domestic and wild animals, as well as people, JEV is a..