Japanese encephalitis virus situation declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance

Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, has declared the unfolding situation in Australia concerning the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. The declaration was made under the Emergency Response Plan for Communicable Disease Incidents of National Significance, in consultation with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. Dr Bennett’s declaration followed her giving the National Security Committee of Cabinet a briefing earlier this week on the unfolding situation regarding JEV. “I have declared the JEV situation a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance after determining a national approach is required in relation to coordination of health policy, interventions and public messaging,” Dr Bennett said. “A national working group of communicable disease, vaccine and arbovirus experts has been established to support the response, including mosquito surveillance and control measures and identification of those at direct risk, and for the rollout of vaccines. Public health communications regarding mosquito protection will...