What Is Japanese Encephalitis?
Japanese
encephalitis is a potentially severe viral disease that is spread by infected
mosquitoes in the agricultural regions of Asia. It is one of several diseases that is caused by a mosquito-borne virus. Japanese encephalitis can affect the central nervous system and cause severe complications, including death. There is no specific treatment for this disease.
A vaccine is licensed for use in travelers whose itineraries might put them at risk for Japanese encephalitis. All travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to prevent Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases.
What Is the Infectious Agent That Causes Japanese Encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, an arbovirus. Arbovirus is short for
arthropod-
borne
virus. Arboviruses are a large group of viruses that are spread by certain invertebrate animals (arthropods), most commonly blood-sucking insects. Like most arboviruses, Japanese encephalitis is spread by infected mosquitoes.
Where Is Japanese Encephalitis Found?
Japanese encephalitis is found throughout rural areas in Asia.
Transmission of Japanese encephalitis can also occur near urban areas in some developing Asian countries.
Japanese encephalitis is a seasonal disease that usually occurs in the summer and fall in the temperate regions of China, Japan, and Korea. In other places, disease patterns vary with rainy seasons and irrigation practices.
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