What is Japanese encephalitis and what risk does it pose in Australia?

Bite by an Aedes mosquito. Source: Getty
A rare outbreak of Japanese encephalitis [[en-KEFF-uh-lie-tiss]] virus has so far spread to humans in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Although the virus is endemic in Papua New Guinea and parts of the Torres Strait, it is extremely rare to see it in mainland Australia.
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