Japanese encephalitis – India
- September 2, 2021
- < 1 min read
8 people have tested positive for Japanese Encephalitis in Jharkhand province India. The disease is vector-borne spread by the Culex mosquito.
All cases occurred in Jamshedpur, the source is mosquitos but more specific details are not given. Symptoms include mild fevers and headaches but in rare severe cases, individuals can go into comas or even die.
8 positive cases so far.
The government has begun efforts to limit the spread of the disease by spraying anti-larvicidal chemicals and passing out information sheets that warm against letting water accumulate.
Photo: Culex mosquito.
Japanese encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus. While most infections result in little or no symptoms, occasional inflammation of the brain occurs. In these cases, symptoms may include headache, vomiting, fever, confusion and seizures. This occurs about 5 to 15 days after infection.
The virus is generally spread by mosquitoes, specifically those of the Culex type. Pigs and wild birds serve as a reservoir for the virus. The disease mostly occurs outside of cities.
Prevention is generally with the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which is both safe and effective. Other measures include avoiding mosquito bites. Once infected, there is no specific treatment, with care being supportive. Permanent problems occur in up to half of people who recover.
The disease occurs in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. bout 68 000 symptomatic cases occur a year, with about 17 000 deaths. Often, cases occur in outbreaks.
The disease was first described in Japan in 1871. Despite its name, the disease is now relatively rare in Japan as a result of large-scale immunization efforts.
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