Japanese Encephalitis
General Information:
Japanese Encephalitis Virus is transmitted to humans through infected Culex mosquitoes. “24 countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions have endemic JEV transmission, exposing more than 3 billion people to risks of infection.” (World Health Organization, 2015). Japanese encephalitis mainly affects young children because most adults who lives in endemic area has natural immune system after childhood infection. Japanese encephalitis virus can be spread form both pigs and humans. This diseases was first identified in 1871 in Japan. |
Symptoms:
In most cases, symptoms of Japanese encephalitis is mild or does not show. Symptoms of mild Japanese encephalitis are headache and fever. However, about 1 in 250 infections results in severe symptoms. Symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, coma, difficulty moving, and in worst cases, death.
Treatments and Preventions:
There is no cure found for Japanese encephalitis. Thus, the treatment for this disease focuses on supporting the patient to overcome the symptoms. Although there are no treatment for this disease, there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis. World Health Organization recommends that Japanese encephalitis vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where Japanese encephalitis disease is recognized as a public health issue (World Health Organization, 2015).
Also, because pigs act as hosts for Japanese encephalitis virus, monitoring and vaccinating domestic pig is very important factor to decrease this disease.
In most cases, symptoms of Japanese encephalitis is mild or does not show. Symptoms of mild Japanese encephalitis are headache and fever. However, about 1 in 250 infections results in severe symptoms. Symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, coma, difficulty moving, and in worst cases, death.
Treatments and Preventions:
There is no cure found for Japanese encephalitis. Thus, the treatment for this disease focuses on supporting the patient to overcome the symptoms. Although there are no treatment for this disease, there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis. World Health Organization recommends that Japanese encephalitis vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where Japanese encephalitis disease is recognized as a public health issue (World Health Organization, 2015).
Also, because pigs act as hosts for Japanese encephalitis virus, monitoring and vaccinating domestic pig is very important factor to decrease this disease.