Japanese encephalitis was first diagnosed in India in 1955.Since then in spite of measures taken by the government death rate attributable to this disease remain high.This virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is the most important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia based on its frequency and severity. About 68,000 cases of Japanese encephalitis are estimated to occur each year. However, for travelers, the risk is low.
Fewer than 1 percent of JEV infections results in symptomatic neuroinvasive disease. However, when the neurological disease does occur, it is usually a very severe disease with a high case-fatality rate and neurological sequelae in 30 to 50 percent of survivors. In endemic areas, JE typically affects children <15 years of age; by early adulthood, the majority of the population has protective immunity following natural exposure to JEV as a result of ongoing…
