How long does it take until after the mosquito bite, the first symptoms of the disease?

In the case of infection with Japanese encephalitis occur usually 5 to 15 days after the mosquito bite and first symptoms.

Where the disease occur?

The Japanese encephalitis is the most common viral encephalitis (brain inflammation) in Asia. Nearly 3 billion people live in areas where there is a risk for infection with Japanese encephalitis virus. Japanese Encephalitis in Asia is already known since the beginning of the 20th century. The geographical spread of the JE area extends from the east, south and southeast Asia as far as Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait in northern Australia. Affected are also popular destinations such as Thailand, India and Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia. The western boundary of the spread of this virus is Pakistan. Be expected with an expansion into the northern regions of Australia’s future needs.

How many cases are reported each year?

The Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. In many Asian countries, there are extensive vaccination programs, with which the overall incidence of JE was reduced. Still going a year at the World Health Organization are still 30,000 to 50,000 reports of JE cases of disease, leading to an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 deaths. Because of the lack of monitoring and diagnostic gaps in the areas where the disease is particularly common, the actual number of patients largely unknown.

With whom there is a risk of suffering from the Japanese encephalitis to?

Clinically severe gradients occur mainly in children under 10 years of age and older people. The risk of developing the Japanese encephalitis, but there is all the people who live in regions or travel in regions that contain the Japanese encephalitis.

The risk of infection for tourists in urban areas is relatively low. An increased risk of infection when traveling to the endemic areas in the country, especially at the end of the monsoon season. Among the affected countries include China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, northern Thailand, and Vietnam.

How high is the risk of suffering from the Japanese Encephalitis, for travelers to Asia?

The estimate of the risk to travelers is generally not easy. Statistically, the Centers of Disease Control (CDC estimates) about the risk of serious disease based on 10,000 travelers with 14-day stay in the Asian-risk areas. This statistically at relatively low individual risk, there is probably also point out that in fact about every 300sten infected with JE virus occurs a serious illness. Even though the statistical risk for a traveler may be rather low, the vaccination for travelers because of the devastating consequences of illness occur in a good way to protect themselves adequately against a Japanese encephalitis to. So far, many different types of travelers suffering from the JE, and unfortunately the disease was often severe and sometimes fatal.

Only part of the mosquitoes are carrying the virus. The risk of infection with the Japanese B encephalitis virus increases in proportion to the number of stings suffered.

How will the Japanese encephalitis diagnosed?

A preliminary diagnosis can be made based on the clinical picture.
The advanced diagnostics includes:

• Blood count: Leukocytosis
• CT or MRI
• CSF: lymphocytic pleocytosis with normal glucose levels
• Serological antibody detection (ELISA, IFF, HHT, KBR)
• Possibly virus isolation from CSF by PCR

Differential diagnoses of bacterial meningitis, cerebral malaria, or Reye’s syndrome dar.

Is there a treatment for Japanese encephalitis?

There is no cause so virustatic effective therapy against Japanese encephalitis. It can be alleviated only the symptoms. To Symptomatic treatment includes the monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balance, prevention of secondary infections and in severe cases mechanical ventilation. Vaccination is the most effective protection against Japanese encephalitis.

How can I prevent Japanese Encephalitis?

Vaccination is the most effective protection system to prevent Japanese encephalitis. In addition, measures should be taken to prevent bites by mosquitoes, that is, proper clothing and applying insect repellents to travel in areas where the JE occurs. The protection with insect repellents, long-sleeved clothing and insect nets is in each can not guarantee sufficient protection.