Product Development - Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / About JE

Japanese encephalitis is a severe viral disease that is spread by infected mosquitoes in Asia. Approximately 30,000 to 50,000 cases are reported annually, with fatalities at about 25% of reported cases and serious neurologic sequela at about 30%. The basic transmission cycle starts when mosquitoes feed on domestic pigs and wild birds that are infected with the JE virus and then transmit the virus to humans during feeding. The incubation period is typically 5-15 days.

Those at risk include residents in endemic regions, military deployed to endemic areas, and expatriate travellers. Mild infections may result in a fever and headache, but severe cases can lead to high fevers, paralysis, seizures, coma and death. Countries which have had major epidemics in the past include China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand and periodic epidemics have occurred in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Nepal, and Malaysia.

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