Japanese Encephalitis

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is an inflammatory brain disease (Encephalitis) caused by the JE virus. JE is a deadly disease and causes permanent disability. JE virus infection from the genus Flavivirus which attacks the central nervous system, is transmitted through mosquito bites (Mosquito Borne Viral Disease) especially by the Culex Tritaeniorhynchus mosquito. Amplifying hosts are pigs and birds that live in swamps. This disease first appeared in Japan in 1871

Transmission of Japanese encephalitis

The increase in transmission of this disease is thought to be due to several risk factors, including:

1) Increased mosquito population during the rainy season;

2) Absence of JE-specific antibodies either obtained naturally or through immunization;

3) Living in a JE endemic area;

4) Behavior that can increase the possibility of being bitten by a mosquito, for example sleeping without using a mosquito net.

 

What are the symptoms of Japanese encephalitis?

Symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in children aged 0-16 years are fever / history of fever. Changes in mental status, such as confusion, difficulty speaking, coma and/or seizures and muscle weakness.

 

What checks need to be done?

The diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis is obtained from the symptoms the sufferer experiences, a physical examination carried out by a doctor, and laboratory examinations. Laboratory tests that need to be done are blood tests and marrow fluid tests. The act of collecting bone marrow fluid is not a simple procedure, it must be done in a treatment room, it cannot be done in a regular clinical laboratory.

If you have an infection, the body's immune system will form antibodies to fight the infection. These laboratory tests function to detect the presence of antibodies (IgM) that fight the Japanese encephalitis virus. IgM can be detected in marrow fluid 4 days after symptoms appear, and can be found in blood 7 days after symptoms appear.

 

Can Japanese encephalitis be treated?

Currently there is no specific treatment for Japanese encephalitis. The treatment given is based on the symptoms suffered by the patient (symptomatic), such as rest, meeting daily fluid needs, administering fever-reducing medication, and administering pain-reducing medication. Patients need to be hospitalized so they can be closely observed, so that appropriate treatment can be given immediately if symptoms of nervous disorders or other complications arise.

 

What can be done to prevent Japanese encephalitis?

The best way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is to protect yourself from mosquito bites and get vaccinated.

Prevent mosquito bites

• Use mosquito repellent in the form of lotion or spray that is safe for the skin

• Wear clothes that cover the body when doing activities outside the home

• Use mosquito nets when sleeping/air conditioner

• As much as possible avoid activities at night in agricultural areas, fields or rice fields where there are many Culex mosquitoes.

Vaccination

JE immunization is given starting at 9 months of age. For long-term protection, it is given 1-2 years later.