UPDATE 1-Novartis, Intercell vaccine gets European approval

* Europe approves encephalitis vaccine

* First major achievement of strategic alliance

ZURICH, April 2 (Reuters) - Novartis AG (NOVN.VX) and Intercell AG (ICEL.VI) said on Thursday that the European Commission had approved their Ixiaro vaccine against Japanese encephalitis.

Novartis said in a statement the approval marked the first major achievement from its strategic alliance with Intercell announced in 2006. Intercell developed the vaccine and Novartis has commercialisation rights.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had already announced its approval of the vaccine on Monday.

Mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis affects 30,000 to 50,000 people each year across Asia, killing up to 15,000.

The virus affects membranes around the brain and usually causes mild symptoms, but can lead to high fever, brain damage, coma, and death. (Reporting by Emma Thomasson, editing by Will Waterman)