Last Updated on August 5, 2024
On August 5, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services published an updated Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness & Response Plan for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in the event of a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) outbreak in the United States.
The updated response strategy is available here. A USDA APHIS Veterinary Services press release stated the following:
JE is not currently found in the United States. This document is intended to provide strategic guidance for USDA, APHIS, and responders at all levels in the event of a JE outbreak, should it enter the United States. If JE is introduced into the United States, Veterinary Services will provide additional policy guidance on specific response operation activities, tailored to the conditions of the outbreak.
The 2024 Strategy updates and expands the scope of the 2013 version. VS incorporated current science and research, shifted away from eradication as a response strategy, and updated considerations for control and vaccination. The updated version also includes more elements of the response than were previously addressed, such as a recognizing a one health approach, increasing collaboration with public health authorities, and enhancing communication plans. VS included feedback from industry and Federal One Health partners in this update.