Transmission Profile

The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected female culex mosquito. In the majority of cases these may occur within rural areas of the endemic countries and especially in regions where pig farming is found. Transmission can occur in urban areas but this is uncommon.

Disease Profile

Patients with the disease usually present within the first week or two of having been bitten by an infected mosquito. They will usually develop distinct symptoms of a ‘flu like illness with muscle pains and headache. Following this initial phase patients frequently present with vomiting and diarrhoea. These early gastrointestinal symptoms are then followed by more severe neurological signs as the virus effects the patients brain tissue. Seizures and paralysis are then seen and the condition carries a mortality rate of between 10% to 40%. In up to 80% of those who survive there may be residual neurological findings.

Risk of Disease

It is reported that the risk of Japanese B Encephalitis is approximately 1/1,000,000 for normal short term travellers to some of the endemic countries. This risk rises to approximately 1/5,000 for those living in rural areas for more than one month in the endemic countries. This is particularly the case between May to September in South East Asia or between July to December in North India/Pakistan/Bangladesh.

Outcome

There is no specific form of therapy against Japanese B Encephalitis and so it is essential that those at risk are as well protected against the disease as possible. This protection takes two forms; general protection against mosquito bites and specific vaccination against the disease.

Protection against Mosquitoes

As with many arboviral (arthropod borne viral) diseases the main protection rests in taking all possible care against being bitten. The mosquitoes which transmit Japanese B Encephalitis tend to bite mainly in the evening time though day biting in shady areas may also occur.

Vaccination

There is a killed vaccine against the disease which can be used in those at high risk. The vaccine is given on three occasions (days 0, 7-14, 28). This should give a 2 to 3 year protection against the disease. Cover for up to 3 months can usually be achieved by giving the vaccine on two occasions (day 0, 7-14)

Contraindications to the Vaccine

Patients with a previous history of reaction to this vaccine should not be revaccinated. Also the vaccine should not be given to those with a history of allergy to rodents. Those pregnant should also not be vaccinated unless the risk of the disease is felt to be considerable.

Reactions

Unfortunately in the early 1990’s a number of reactions were associated with the use of Japanese B Encephalitis vaccine. From these figures it was estimated that significant reactions could occur with this particular vaccine in 4 to 8 of every 10,000 doses. This frequency of reaction would limit the widespread use of the vaccine. Since this time it appears that there are now very few reactions occurring to the vaccine. The vaccine is now available in the US following extensive monitoring.

Who should be Vaccinated

Nevertheless, this figure of possible vaccine related reactions makes the vaccine unacceptable for wide spread use in the short term traveller and so it is only recommended for those felt to be at significant risk.

This is usually only those who will be living for more than 1 month in the endemic countries mentioned earlier in this leaflet. An exception to this general rule may be for those travellers who will be highly exposed to mosquito bites in rural regions during exploration trips or extensive trekking holidays.

NOTE

The information contained in this leaflet is of a very general nature. Specific health care information should be sought by every individual traveller and this information must only be used as an information guideline.