Ministry for Primary Industries

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) risk areas and feeding preferences of New Zealand mosquitoes

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic vector-borne virus spread by mosquitos and occurs widely across Asia. JEV infects both humans and animals and is a leading cause of human encephalitis and death, especially in children. The socio-cultural and economic impacts of a JEV incursion in New Zealand would be significant. Currently we have limited ability to predict likely JEV incursion sites, and limited biological knowledge to help determine the geographical areas infected in the event of an incursion.
This project aims to fill knowledge gaps related to JEV incursion and establishment by identifying New Zealand locations that have suitable ecological conditions to allow establishment and amplification of new competent mosquito vectors. This project will also determine the predominant vertebrate animal types fed upon by New Zealand mosquito species (endemic and already introduced) across these suitable areas.

Department/Business Unit: New Zealand Food Safety