Japanese encephalitis is a virus found in Japan, South Korea, Russia, China, India, islands off the coast of Australia, Nepal, India and most of Southeast Asia. It is the leading cause of viral brain infection (encephalitis) in Asia, with as many as 50,000 cases per year despite the existence of a vaccine. The virus itself is related to yellow and dengue fevers.
The virus is carried by birds and amplified by pigs before being transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. A vaccine was developed for Japan in the 1930s and effectively controlled outbreaks in regions that could afford massive immunization campaigns. Today, Japanese encephalitis is endemic in rural areas and occurs only in certain seasons.
After an incubation period of five days to two weeks, the virus produces dull symptoms like fever and headache that may go unnoticed. If the infection progresses swelling around the brain may occur. This can lead to brain damage, coma and death. Since the symptoms are sometimes subtle at first, Japanese encephalitis often goes unreported.
How serious: no cure exists for Japanese encephalitis, and after contracting the disease, patients can experience mild to severe and potentially fatal symptoms. A high percentage of them suffer neurological damage.
How likely: travelers are only at risk when visiting areas of infection during transmission season, in which case vaccination is highly recommended.
How to get it: Japanese encephalitis is contracted when a person is bit by a mosquito infected with the virus.
Where it is found: the disease exists in many Asian countries including China, India, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Symptoms: Japanese encephalitis doesn’t necessarily produce acute symptoms though fever, headache, vomiting and general malaise can occur. Brain damage, coma and death can occur in advanced stages.
How to avoid it: the best defense against the virus is to get vaccinated before entering areas where Japanese encephalitis is endemic.
How to treat it: as there is no cure for the disease, symptomatic treatment including blood transfusion and fluid replacement is all that medical professionals can offer.
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