Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that may cause inflammation of the membranes around the brain. Travellers visiting rural Asia are at the highest risk, with children and those aged 65 and over most vulnerable.
Following infection, most people don’t develop any symptoms, but some can become seriously ill. Symptoms include high fever and headaches, which appear after 5 to 15 days of incubation. Japanese encephalitis also affects the central nervous system, resulting in behavioural changes and speech and movement disorders.Fatality can result in five to 30% of symptomatic cases and between 30 and 50% of surviving patients have permanent impairment as a result of contracting the disease
Japanese Encephalitis
Vaccination is recommended if:
- Travellers spending 1 month or more in rural areas of Asia, however, as JE has occurred in travellers after shorter periods of travel, JE vaccination should be considered for shorter-term travellers, particularly if the travel is during the wet season, and/ or there is considerable outdoor activity, and/or the accommodation is not mosquito-proof.
- For all other travellers spending a year or more in Asia (except Singapore), even if much of the stay is in urban areas
- Travellers intending to spend a month or more in Papua New Guinea, particularly if the travel is during the wet season.