The spread of Japanese encephalitis disease has expanded in the western Pacific, where Culex mosquito bites, especially the tapeworm nose. Japanese encephalitis is caused by the bites of infected human mosquitoes, and it is most common in Asia and the Western Pacific.
An overview of Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis disease is a serious form of encephalitis caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, and it is common in Asia and the Western Pacific regions. The Japanese encephalitis virus is a yellowish virus, where the life cycle of the virus is completed in two hosts, which are mosquitoes and other vertebrates, whether it is a human being, a pig or a wading bird. Culex mosquito bites transmit the virus mainly through the nasal tapeworm.
However, not all human infections cause acute inflammation of the brain. The transmission season is the warm season in temperate Asia, and the rainy season in tropical parts of the continent. Children are the most common victims, and most adults in endemic areas are already immune. However, Japanese encephalitis can occur at all ages.
Scientific name of the disease: Japanese Encephalitis
Common names for the disease: Japanese B Encephalitis
Medical classification: infectious diseases
Causes of Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is caused by a yellowish virus. This type of virus can affect both animals and humans. The virus is transmitted to humans from animals through the bite of an infected mosquito, as pigs and wading birds are the main habitat of the Japanese encephalitis virus. However, this virus is not transmitted between humans.
Risk factors
Residents of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions.
Summer season.
Outdoor leisure activities.
Accommodations in endemic quarters lack air conditioning, mosquito nets, or window screens.
Old age.
Mixing with mosquitoes, birds, and pigs.
Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis
For most people, Japanese encephalitis does not cause symptoms or mild symptoms, and is often mistaken for the flu. Symptoms also usually appear six to eight days after infection.
Initial symptoms of infection include:
fever.
a headache.
nausea.
vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Muscle pain.
Sometimes, these initial symptoms may last for a few days before more serious symptoms such as:
Seizures.
Changes in mental status, which can range from mild confusion to severe excitement or coma.
Tremors
Loss of ability to speak.
Muscle weakness.
Hypertonicity.
Problems with movement such as shaking, stiffness, slow movement or paralysis.
Difficulty controlling eye movements.
Difficulty controlling facial muscles.
Swelling of the back of the eye outward, however difficult to notice.
Diagnose the disease
There are no symptoms of Japanese encephalitis specific to this disease. Therefore, people who live or travel to endemic areas should be suspected and tested for Japanese encephalitis if they develop symptoms of encephalitis such as fever, seizures, change in level of consciousness or neurological signs. The diagnosis can usually be confirmed by finding IgM antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid after a lumbar puncture or in the blood.
DNA testing, histopathology with immunohistochemistry, and culturing of the virus into autopsy tissues may also be helpful.
Japanese encephalitis treatment
There is no specific anti-Japanese encephalitis virus treatment. Treatment is mostly symptomatic and supportive. The patient often needs support in feeding and ventilation. Intravenous fluids may be given; To maintain the patient's hydration state, analgesics can also be given to reduce the associated pain. Anticonvulsants are given to control seizures. In addition, the electrical activity of the patient's brain should be monitored from time to time with an EEG.
Medicines used in treatment
Osmitrol.
Zovirax.
Sitofen.
Foscavir.
Tylenol.
Advil, Motrin IB.
Aleve.
Complications of Japanese Encephalitis
One of the most common complications is bacterial infection - such as pneumonia and urinary tract infection - related to supportive treatment in patients with Japanese encephalitis virus.
Individuals from tropical areas where the Japanese encephalitis virus is endemic are also at risk of developing other tropical diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and other parasitic infections.
In addition, an abnormal association exists between JEV and acute hydrocephalus, as well as with acute transverse myelitis.
Prevention of Japanese encephalitis disease
The risk of developing Japanese encephalitis depends on travelers and people who live in endemic areas on their destination for travel, season, and activities. Those who stay longer in rural areas are at greater risk.
Prevention consists of general prevention measures and vaccination. General measures to prevent mosquito bites include using mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, and wearing appropriate clothing such as long sleeves and pants.
As for vaccination, a Japanese encephalitis vaccine is available for people visiting a country with an increased risk of contracting the disease. After a full course of the vaccine, a person will have 98% protection against Japanese encephalitis, and this percentage drops to about 83% after 12 months.
There are two vaccines available for Japanese encephalitis. The preferred vaccine requires two doses, and the second dose is given 28 days after the first. The other vaccine consists of three doses and is suitable for children over the age of one year. The second dose is given seven days after the first dose, and the third dose is given 28 days after that. This vaccine must be completed at least 10 days before departure in the event of an allergic reaction. However, both vaccines require a booster after one year.
Note: Japanese encephalitis vaccine is not suitable for children younger than one year.
Celebrities afflicted with Japanese encephalitis
Sophie Williams
Dr. Sophie Williams is a lecturer at Bangor University. She contracted Japanese encephalitis when she was 35 years old during an academic research trip to China in July 2015. This virus resulted in Sophie's paralysis, which led to her needing a respirator and round-the-clock care.
Mosquito bites can sometimes be easy, and diseases such as Japanese encephalitis do not occur to you, so care must be taken and preventive measures taken.
