Travellers spending 1 month or more in endemic areas during the JE virus transmission season are recommended to receive JE vaccine
Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination is recommended for travellers spending 1 month or more in endemic areas in Asia and Papua New Guinea during the JE virus transmission season.1 This includes people who will be based in urban areas, but are likely to visit endemic rural or agricultural areas.1 The risk is probably negligible during short trips to urban areas.2
JE vaccination is not routinely recommended for travellers spending less than 1 month in endemic areas. However, travellers can acquire JE after less than 1 month of travel. Vaccination should be considered for shorter-term travellers, particularly if:3
- the travel is during the wet season
- there may be ongoing travel to at-risk areas
- there is considerable outdoor activity during the travel
- the traveller is staying in accommodation without air-conditioning, screens or bed nets
See Epidemiology.
Travellers should seek up-to-date information about JE virus activity and risk of JE in travel destinations from a reputable source, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Yellow Book.4
People who are at ongoing risk of acquiring JE may need booster doses.
The need for a booster dose of JE vaccine depends on:
- the person’s age when they received their primary vaccination course
- the vaccine used for the primary course
See Table. Recommended doses of Japanese encephalitis vaccines.
Avoiding mosquitoes
Avoiding mosquitoes
All travellers to Asia and other tropical regions should understand the importance of avoiding mosquitoes. This is an important step to reducing the risk of JE and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Ways to avoid mosquitoes include:
- using insect repellents containing at least 30% DEET
- using mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated nets)
- minimising outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn
- wearing clothing that leaves a minimum of exposed skin