Japanese encephalitis virus: changing the clinical landscape of encephalitis in Australia

A structured diagnostic approach is required when assessing for JEV in patients with encephalitis

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has been a long‐standing public health concern in Asia, where it is the most common cause of viral encephalitis in many countries. This mosquito‐borne flavivirus is transmitted to humans from reservoirs in pigs and waterbirds. Subsequent acute encephalitis occurs in less than 1% of people infected, but when it does, it often results in death or significant neurological disability. The effectiveness of population‐wide immunisation programs in reducing the disease burden of Japanese encephalitis is well established.1,2