Japanese Encephalitis
A deadly virus which infects travellers across Asia and in Australia through mosquito bites. It can cause long term mental and physical disabilities, with very limited or no treatment options.
Key Facts around Japanese Encephalitis
Around one third of people who survive severe Japanese encephalitis, suffer from serious long-term complications.1
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How do people catch this disease?
When they’re bitten by infected mosquitoes which carry the virus.1
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Which countries are affected?
Asian countries from India to Japan and Australia (see map). The risk is greater in rural areas.1,2
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What are the symptoms?
Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, mental confusion, spasms in the neck and spine and muscle weakness.1
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How serious is the disease?
- Most cases of Japanese encephalitis are asymptomatic. In rare cases, however, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) occurs, and about half of the severe cases have a fatal course.1 Approximately 30% of those who survive the infection suffer permanent neurological, physical or psychological damage.1
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Can I reduce the chances of catching the disease?
You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:
- Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions.
Click here to find your nearest travel health clinic and make an appointment: https://www.reisemedizincheck.at/en/find-a-travel-health-service - Use physical barriers, such as bed nets and window screens, to avoid mosquito bites.3,4
- Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Icaridin or DEET.3,4
- Wear appropriate clothing (e.g long-sleeved clothes and long trousers)3,4
- Visit a travel health clinic to assess the risks of the planned trip and get advice about available vaccinations and further precautions.
References
03 March 2023
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yellow Book 2020. Chapter 4 Travel-Related Infectious Diseases. Japanese Encephalitis. Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-related-infectious-diseases/japanese-encephalitis (last accessed October 2020);
- 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Geographic Distribution of Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Available online: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/noninfectious-health-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods (last accessed December 2020)
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Online verfügbar: https://www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis/prevention/index.html (last accessed December 2022)
- Gesundheit.GV.AT. Japanische Enzephalitis Available online: https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/gesundheitsvorsorge/reisemedizin/infektionskrankheiten/japanische-enzephalitis (last accessed October 2020)
03 March 2023
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