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Victoria Confirms Japanese Encephalitis Case

February 3, 2025 • 5:06 am CST
Victoria - 2025
(Vax-Before-Travel)

The Victoria Department of Health (VDH) recently confirmed that a human case of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) had been identified in a resident of northern Victoria.

This is the first case in Victoria in 2025.

On January 20, 2025, Dr. Christian McGrath, VDH's Acting Chief Health Officer, issued an alert stating that residents and visitors to northern Victoria, mainly inland riverine regions and near the Murray River, are potentially at higher risk of infection and should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.

Victoria is Australia's second-most-populated state, with a population of over 6.9 million. In 2024, it welcomed about 12 million visitors, many visiting the city of Melbourne.

Since January 2021, 45 people in Australia have been infected with JEV outbreaks, resulting in seven deaths.

In June 2023, the Joint National Japanese  Encephalitis Virus Outbreak Response Plan became effective.

"Historically, the risk of contracting JE in Australia has been limited to the Torres Strait region near Papua New Guinea. However, since 2021, new cases have been confirmed in southeastern Australian states, including Victoria, where infections have occurred in rural areas surrounding the Murray River," Jeri Beales, MSN, RN, informed Vax-Before-Travel News.

"If your vacation itinerary takes you to popular tourist areas in major Australian cities, you most likely do not need the JE vaccine."

"But if you plan to stay in risk areas for weeks to months, then vaccination is recommended," added Beales, MSN, RN, leads Destination Health Clinic, a Boston-area travel health provider specializing in health education and vaccination for international travelers.

Since JEV is a vaccine-preventable disease, Valneva SE's JESPECT® vaccine is offered free of charge in Australia for specific groups at higher risk of exposure to the virus. However, due to the significant global demand for the vaccine, access is restricted to those most at risk.

In February 2025, IXIARO® will be the only JEV vaccine commercially offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in the United States. The vaccine requires two doses for U.S. travelers, usually given four weeks apart. 

To protect its military staff from this mosquito-transmitted disease, the U.S. Department of Defense recently ordered $32.8 million worth of IXIARO.

Note: This VBT News article was updated on Feb. 4, 2025, to include a vaccine expert insight.

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