Validity - 1 Year Price - Children & accelerated £50 - Adults £75
Disease Fact File
Summary
The illness is contracted through the bite of an infected 'culicine' mosquito, which usually breed in rice paddies. Animals such as pigs and birds such as the Siberian stork are involved as intermediate hosts.
Distribution and Transmission
Outbreaks occur following the rainy season in the central delta of China (between the Yellow and Yangtze rivers), low-lying regions in Nepal, northern parts of Burma, the east and southern states of India, northern Sri Lanka, northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It has been virtually eradicated in Japan and China, and does not occur in other parts of the world. Some sporadic outbreaks have been reported in Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Southern parts of Thailand, southern Sri Lanka, and all parts of India
Signs and Symptoms
While some infections of Japanese B encephalitis exhibit no symptoms, other people experience high temperatures, encephalitis, meningitis and paralysis. Recovery is usually slow and long-term debility is common - the illness has a mortality rate of 30% in children. Treatment is generally based on treating symptoms.
Recommendation for Travellers
Vaccination is recommended for repeat visits or for travellers staying longer than one month in endemic areas, particularly for those staying in rural areas. Vaccination is strongly recommended for children and/or infants. Travellers staying for less than a month may also consider vaccination particularly if they are travelling rurally, or after the rainy season when the mosquitoes are most active.
Vaccination of 2-3 doses is recommended - this should provide protection for 2 years. These are given over a one month period.
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