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What is japanese encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, which transfer the virus from infected animals - usually pigs and wading birds - to humans.
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Causes and risk factors
Japanese encephalitis is caused by a Flaviviridae virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Transmission of the disease is most likely during the summer months in temperate areas and during the rainy season and early dry season in tropical areas, when the mosquito populations are the highest.
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Symptoms
Most people who are infected show only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, at advanced stages, the disease may be fatal. Japanese encephalitis begins like flu with headache, fever, and weakness. Gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting, as well as confusion and delirium may also be present.
In about one of every 250 cases, the illness becomes symptomatic and progresses to inflammation of the brain, with more than half of those cases ending in permanent disability or death .
5-30 per cent of cases are fatal and children are most susceptible. Over 70 per cent of survivors have a residual neurological deficit, such as Parkinson’s syndrome or psychological problems.
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Treatment and prevention
At present, there is no medical "cure" for Japanese encephalitis once infection has occurred. A vaccine has been developed and used in Asia to immunize children and is licensed for use in the UK and the US. Allergic reactions can affect 1 to 104 people in 10 000.
Is there a way to reduce the risk?
The best way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease is to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. This can be done by avoiding being outside in the cooler hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most actively feeding. The use of mosquito repellent, portable bednets, aerosol room insecticides and permethrin, which can be applied to clothing, is also recommended.
Related viruses
Scientists researching the Malaysian outbreak in 1998 have isolated a mysterious second virus, a member of the Paramyxovirus family, which is believed to have caused some of the deaths.It appears to have been amplified by swine. The new virus is similar to the Hendra virus that killed two people and 15 horses during outbreaks in Australia in 1994 and 1995. The method of transmission is as yet unclear. Health experts believe it may be killed through the use of soap, detergent or disinfectant.
Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, which transfer the virus from infected animals - usually pigs and wading birds - to humans.
Top
Causes and risk factors
Japanese encephalitis is caused by a Flaviviridae virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Transmission of the disease is most likely during the summer months in temperate areas and during the rainy season and early dry season in tropical areas, when the mosquito populations are the highest.
Top
Symptoms
Most people who are infected show only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, at advanced stages, the disease may be fatal. Japanese encephalitis begins like flu with headache, fever, and weakness. Gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting, as well as confusion and delirium may also be present.
In about one of every 250 cases, the illness becomes symptomatic and progresses to inflammation of the brain, with more than half of those cases ending in permanent disability or death .
5-30 per cent of cases are fatal and children are most susceptible. Over 70 per cent of survivors have a residual neurological deficit, such as Parkinson’s syndrome or psychological problems.
Top
Treatment and prevention
At present, there is no medical "cure" for Japanese encephalitis once infection has occurred. A vaccine has been developed and used in Asia to immunize children and is licensed for use in the UK and the US. Allergic reactions can affect 1 to 104 people in 10 000.
Is there a way to reduce the risk?
The best way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease is to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. This can be done by avoiding being outside in the cooler hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most actively feeding. The use of mosquito repellent, portable bednets, aerosol room insecticides and permethrin, which can be applied to clothing, is also recommended.
Related viruses
Scientists researching the Malaysian outbreak in 1998 have isolated a mysterious second virus, a member of the Paramyxovirus family, which is believed to have caused some of the deaths.It appears to have been amplified by swine. The new virus is similar to the Hendra virus that killed two people and 15 horses during outbreaks in Australia in 1994 and 1995. The method of transmission is as yet unclear. Health experts believe it may be killed through the use of soap, detergent or disinfectant.