Japanese encephalitis
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Fact sheet - Health conditions directory
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious infection of the brain caused by a virus that can be spread by some (but not all) types of mosquitoes. JE occurs in many parts of Southeast Asia and China, and in recent years the disease has extended beyond its traditional boundaries with occasional cases in eastern Indonesia, occasional outbreaks in the Torres Strait and one case in north Queensland. JE is now considered endemic in the Torres Strait region and Papua New Guinea. The type of mosquitoes that are able to spread JE breed extensively early in the wet season, and it is possible that the prevailing northwest winds and tropical storms may have blown infected mosquitoes into the Torres Strait.
Public health management guidelines
Notification
Pathology laboratories
Notification resources Communicable Diseases Branch
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions
- List of Public Health Unit contacts
- Notifiable conditions report form for Queensland doctors/clinicians (PHA S70) or person in charge of a Hospital (PHA S71) (PDF, 77kB) - if faxing notification, follow up by phone.
Enhanced surveillance for public health units
- Case report form (PDF, 227kB) - used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Resources for health professionals
Immunisation
- Australian immunisation handbook - provides clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
Related information
- Mosquito borne diseases – Queensland Health information for health professionals.
- Interim Queensland Japanese Encephalitis Virus Mosquito Surveillance and Control Plan - outlines the key elements of mosquito surveillance and control actions for JEV in Queensland.
