Managing Japanese Encephalitis Virus as a Veterinary Infectious Disease Through Animal Surveillance and One Health Control Strategies

Abstract

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus that circulates primarily within animal populations and occasionally spills over to humans, causing severe neurological disease. While humans are terminal hosts, veterinary species such as pigs and birds play essential roles in viral amplification and maintenance, making JEV fundamentally a veterinary infectious disease with zoonotic potential. This review summarizes the current understanding of JEV transmission dynamics from a veterinary and ecological perspective, emphasizing the roles of amplifying hosts and animal surveillance in controlling viral circulation. Recent genotype shifts and viral evolution have raised concerns regarding vaccine effectiveness and regional emergence. National surveillance systems and animal-based monitoring strategies are examined for their predictive value in detecting outbreaks early. Veterinary and human vaccination strategies are also reviewed, highlighting the importance of integrated One Health approaches. Advances in modeling and climate-responsive surveillance further underscore the dynamic and evolving landscape of JEV transmission. By managing the infection in animal reservoirs, veterinary interventions form the foundation of sustainable zoonotic disease control.