Since 2022, the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) has been found in feral pigs across the Top End and three human cases have occurred in 2021-2022. This year, JEV has also been detected in mosquitoes in urban Darwin.
The JEV vaccination for high-risk locations has been expanded to rural and northern suburbs of Darwin.
What is Japanese Encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the JEV. It is transmitted from infected animals, particularly water birds and pigs, to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. JEV is not transmitted from human to human or directly from animals to humans.
Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious disease and can cause the following symptoms:
- confusion
- paralysis
- fever
- headache
- neck stiffness
- seizures
- tremors
- coma
Only 1 in 100 people infected develop symptoms but of those one-third will recover, one-third will die and one-third will have ongoing disabilities.
There are two ways to protect against JEV: avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, especially from dusk to dawn and JEV vaccination.
JEV vaccine
In the Northern Territory, a free JEV vaccination is available for people aged two months or older who live or routinely work in any of the high-risk locations and:
- regularly spend time outdoors which places them at higher risk of mosquito bites, or
- living in conditions with limited mosquito protection (e.g. tents, caravans, dwellings with no insect screens or homelessness).
If you're eligible, you can book a free vaccination by calling your nearest provider or searching for your nearest clinic - remote health clinics.
For more information about JEV, read the latest on the NT JEV information page, the Australian Government JEV Information page or contact the RAHC Clinical team.
This information is not medical advice and should be used as a guide only. Contact your local GP or health professional if you are concerned about any symptoms you may have.