Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic viral disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Mosquitoes transmit the virus from animals, especially pigs and birds like cattle egrets, pond herons, etc., to humans. The virus is not transmitted from one person to another.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is most commonly seen in Asia and the western Pacific countries. It primarily affects children and occasionally adults.
Most people infected with JE do not have symptoms or have only mild symptoms, and treatment involves supporting the body's functions as it tries to fight off the infection.
However, a small percentage of infected people can develop inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), with symptoms like sudden onset of headache, high fever, disorientation, coma, tremors, and convulsions.
Prevention generally consists of avoiding mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, etc. Getting vaccinated for JE is also important, especially while living in or traveling to JE-endemic areas.
