Travellers spending 1 month or more in endemic areas outside Australia during the JE virus transmission season are recommended to receive JE vaccine
Longer-term travel increases the likelihood of exposure to an infected mosquito. Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination is recommended for travellers spending 1 month or more in endemic areas outside Australia, including 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
Vaccination should also be considered for shorter-term travellers (<1 month), particularly if there are other risk factors such as: 3
- the travel is during the wet season
- there may be ongoing travel to at-risk rural or agricultural areas
- there is considerable outdoor activity during the trip, such as camping, hiking, hunting or fishing
- 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 being infected by JE virus 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 risk regions outside Australia should understand the importance of avoiding mosquitoes. This is a key step towards reducing the risk of JE and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Ways to avoid mosquito bites include:
- using insect repellents containing diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and applying according to manufacturer’s instructions
- using mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated nets)
- minimising outdoor exposure when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dusk and dawn
- wearing loose clothing that leaves a minimum of covers exposed skin, including feet
- using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
- covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
- removing stagnant water or items that may collect water, and covering rainwater and septic tank openings