Mosquito-borne disease
Warm and wet weather create the perfect breeding environments for mosquitoes, increasing the likelihood of disease that can make you ill. Your best protection against mosquitoes and the viruses they can carry is to avoid mozzie bites. Vaccination can also protect you against some of the mosquito-borne diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE).
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Eligibility criteria for JE Vaccine
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccination Program – Temporary Expansion until 31 July 2026
Due to an extended mosquito season with recent heavy rainfall and flooding in northern Victoria, and ongoing virus detections in neighbouring areas of New South Wales, the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination program has been temporarily expanded until 31 July 2026.
Expanded updated eligibility criteria:
- People aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any Victorian high-risk local government areas for any outdoor recreation such as camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting are now eligible for a free JE vaccine.
- People aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any interstate high-risk areas, for outdoor recreation are now eligible for a free JE vaccine.
For a list of eligible Victorian and interstate high-risk areas click here.
In Victoria JE vaccine is routinely available free of charge for people aged 2 months or older who meet the following eligibility criteria:
Baseline eligibility criteria restricted by local government area:
- Any person aged 2 months or older who lives or works in an eligible high-risk local government area in Victoria is eligible for free vaccination.
High-risk local government areas in Victoria are listed below, five of which sit within the Grampians region (see bold); Campaspe, Gunnawarra, Greater Shepparton, Indigo, Loddon, Mildura, Moira, Swan Hill, Wodonga, Towonga, Benalla, Wangaratta and Strathbogie, Greater Bendigo, Northern Grampians, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Buloke, Yarriambiack, West Wimmera.
Baseline eligibility criteria not restricted by local government area:
- People who work at, reside at, or have a planned non-deferrable visit to a piggery, property confirmed or suspected to be infected with JE virus, pork abattoir or pork rendering plant
- Personnel who work directly with mosquitoes
- All diagnostic and research laboratory workers who may be exposed to the virus
Booster dose recommendations
Booster doses are now available. As per the Australian Immunisation Handbook, JEV Booster doses are recommended 1–2 years after initial vaccination for those with ongoing risk of JEV exposure for:
- children aged 9 months to less than 18 years at time of vaccination who received Imojev, and
- adults aged 18 years or older at time of vaccination who received JEspect.
Initial and booster doses are funded for people who are eligible as part of this program. For more information speak to your immunisation provider.
You can check if you are eligible for a free-of-charge JE vaccine here.
Where can I access the JE Vaccine?
Several clinics in the Grampians region are offering JE vaccination.
Please contact the clinics directly to book.
Mosquito-borne diseases in Victoria
Japanese encephalitis is a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). It can be spread to humans through mosquito bites.
Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in Victoria for the first time in February 2022 in pigs, humans, and mosquitoes.
Ross River virus infection can cause fever, rash, joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and muscle aches.
Ross River virus infection is caused by an alphavirus, which is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms usually begin to appear 3 to 9 (but up to 21) days after becoming infected.
There is no vaccine for Ross River virus, so preventing mosquito bites is important.
Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is a serious, but rare infection caused by Murray Valley encephalitis virus. Most people don’t have any symptoms, while others may develop a mild illness and make a full recovery. A small proportion of people infected develop encephalitis, which is an inflammation (swelling) of the brain tissue. This can lead to brain damage or death.
There is no vaccine for Murray Valley Encephalitis, so preventing mosquito bites is important.
Barmah Forest virus infection can cause fever, a rash of variable appearance, joint inflammation and pain, muscle aches and fatigue.
Symptoms usually begin to appear between 7 to 10 (but up to 21) days after becoming infected, however many people infected with Barmah Forest virus will never develop any symptoms.
There is no vaccine for Barmah Forest Virus, so preventing mosquito bites is important.
Evidence is emerging that mosquitoes are involved in spreading the microbe responsible for Buruli Ulcer in Victoria (which occurs particularly around Melbourne, and on the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulars). Avoiding mosquitoes is the key to preventing mosquito-borne disease.