What is Japanese Encephalitis? How did it spread?
Japanese Encephalitis is a zoonotic viral disease which rare but serious infection. It caused by Japanese Encephalitis virus, which is transmitted through mosquitoes. The virus found in the body of birds belonging to family Ardeidae (eg. cattle egrets, pond herons etc.), pig and other animals.
The disease is spread to human bodies through the bite of infected mosquito, particularly the Culex species. It cannot transmitted from person-to-person.
Japanese Encephalitis can cause fever and affect the nervous system of human body, which can lead serious problems like seizures and even death.
JapaneseEncephalitis virus is found is some parts of Asia and the western Pacific.
- India
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- Indonesia
- Southeast Asia (such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam)
The first case of the Japanese Encephalitis disease is reported in 1871 in Japan.
What are the symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis disease?
Most of the Japanese Encephalitis virus are mild (headache and fever) or no symptoms, but about 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness.
According WHO, initial symptoms in children stomach pain and vomiting are often.
Several Symptoms are:
- rapid onset of high fever,
- headache,
- neck stiffness,
- tummy pain
Some people infected by the diseases spreads to the brain and causes more serious symptoms such as:
- Disorientation (feeling confuse)
- coma
- seizures
- spastic paralysis
People who travelled or live in the area where JE disease is found you may feel the symptoms. You may consult doctor for treatment.
Prevention tips
We know that the JE virus is spread to through mosquito bites of an JE virus infected mosquito. The virus is found in Asia and parts of the western Pacific.
The best way to prevent from the diseases is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Get Vaccinated, if you are recommended for you.
- Wear long sleeved shirt and long pant.
- Use insect repellent.
- While sleeping use a mosquito net if you are sleeping out door.
