Japanese Encephalitis

JE virus is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of encephalitis in Asia, occurring throughout most of Asia and parts of the western Pacific.Transmission principally occurs in rural agricultural areas, often associated with rice cultivation and flood irrigation.

 

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Clinical presentation

Most human infections with JE virus are asymptomatic; <1% of people infected with JE virus develop neurologic disease. Acute encephalitis is the most commonly recognized clinical manifestation of JE virus infection.

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Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for JE; therapy consists of supportive care and management of complications.

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Prevention

Personal Protection Measures. The best way to prevent mosquito borne diseases, including JE, is to avoid mosquito bites.

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Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis

Indication  

Vaccination should also be considered in the following groups: Short-term travelers (< 30 days) to endemic countries during the transmission season if activities include trips into rural or farming areas. Higher risk activities include substantial time outdoors in such areas, especially during the evening and night, and staying in accommodations in these regions without air conditioning, window screens or bed nets. Travelers to an area with an ongoing JE outbreak. Travelers to endemic regions with uncertain itineraries, activities or travel duration.
Short-term travelers (trip < 30 days) with urban travel only or travel outside of a well-defined JE virus transmission season are thought to be at low risk and should generally not receive vaccine.

 

Additional Information: CDC Yellow Book 2020 Health Information for International Travel, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), p. 248-257.