Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
What is Japanese Encephalitis (JE)?​​
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Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a virus (JEV) transmitted via the bite of infected mosquitoes (mainly Culex species).
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JE is found mainly in Asia and some parts of the Western Pacific
What is at risk of JE?​​​
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Visit rural agricultural areas, in particular areas associated with rice production.
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Take multiple trips or stay long periods in endemic areas
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Outdoor activities at night in areas with mosquitos infected with the JEV
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Although the risk is low, cases can be very serious for Canadians travelling to these regions it is estimated that there will be about cases in 1/10,000,000 trips
What are symptoms of JE?​​​
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The majority of JE cases are asymptomatic, but symptoms most often appear 5-15 days after infection.
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Possible symptoms include mild fever, headache and vomiting and can progress to seizures, neurological changes, muscle weakness and movement issues.
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JE can can also cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
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About 20-30% of people infected will die, and 30-50% of survivors will have neurological, mental, and cognitive problems.
What about the JE vaccine?​​​​
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The Japanese encephalitis vaccine protects against this virus and has a two-dose series which is given on day 0 and 28.
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The second dose should be given at least 7 days before travel to ensure adequate protection.