Japanese Encephalitis (JE) 

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a rare but serious infection caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. 

Most people who get JE don’t feel sick or get symptoms. But when a person gets encephalitis (swelling of the brain) from the infection, it can lead to severe long-term health problems or death.  

There is no specific treatment for this infection, and it cannot spread from person to person. You can prevent it by avoiding mosquito bites in high-risk areas, and there is also a vaccine available. 

People living in Melbourne’s west are not at risk unless they travel to regional areas

Where is JE found? 

In the last few years, JE virus has been found in regional and northern parts of Victoria, and in some parts of New South Wales and Queensland. There is a risk of JE in these areas from last spring (2025) until the end of June 2026, because that is when the virus is likely to be present in some mosquitoes. 

In Victoria, these local government areas are at risk of JE:  

• Alpine 
• Benalla  
• Buloke 
• Campaspe  
• Gannawarra  
• Greater Bendigo 
• Greater Shepparton  
• Hindmarsh 
• Horsham  
• Indigo 
• Loddon  
• Macedon Ranges  
• Mansfield 
• Mildura 
• Mitchell  
• Moira 
• Northern Grampians  
• Strathbogie  
• Swan Hill  
• Towong 
• Wangaratta  
• West Wimmera  
• Wodonga 
• Yarriambiack 

Preventing JE infection 

Avoiding mosquito bites in risk areas can prevent JE. For tips on avoiding mosquito-borne diseases like JE, click here. 

A safe and effective vaccine is available for people at higher risk of JE. This is mainly people living or working outside in areas listed above, which are in the northern and regional parts of Victoria. 

Until June 2026, people who are visiting a local government area in the list above and undertaking outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing or caravaning in the northern and reginal areas of Victoria, are eligible to receive a free JE vaccine 

To find out if you can get the vaccine and how to get it, click here. 

If you can get a free vaccine, ask your GP. If you are not in a high-risk area, your GP may not have it in stock and might need to order it. 

If you are travelling to a regional area, the local public health unit there can help you find a GP who offers the vaccine. There is also a map and links to these health units on the same website. 

Look out for symptoms

If you have been in regional areas with mosquitoes and develop: 

• Fever 
• Headache 
• Feeling very tired or sleepy 
• Confusion or difficulty thinking 

See your GP immediately and tell them where you have been.

Last updated: 07 April 2026