Japanese Encephalitis

Around a third of people who have severe Japanese encephalitis suffer from long-term complications.²

When you’re bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus.²

Asian countries from India to Japan and Australia (see map). The risk is greater in rural areas.^1,3

Most people experience no symptoms as a result of their infection. Those that do experience sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, mental confusion, spasms in the neck and spine, and muscle weakness.²

Symptoms usually occur between 4 and 14 days after being bitten, therefore you may start to feel ill when you are back home after your trip.²

Most infections are asymptomatic. In rare cases (estimated 1 in 250), encephalitis develops when the virus spreads to the brain. This may cause fatal damage in 20-30% of severe cases.²

People who survive severe encephalitis can end up with a long-term disability.²

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
• Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Picaridin, DEET, PMD or OLE (oil of lemon eucalyptus), IR3535 or 2-undecanone⁴
• Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) to minimise exposed skin^5,6
• Use insecticide-treated mosquito nets if you are sleeping or resting in accommodation that is not air-conditioned or sleeping outdoors during the day or night⁵