Ready to explore? Learn more about avoiding Japanese encephalitis while travelling
What is Japanese encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious viral infection. It’s spread through mosquito bites. The virus starts with a mosquito biting an infected pig or bird, then biting a human and transmitting the disease. It can’t be passed from person to person.
Japanese encephalitis isn’t found in the UK. It’s most commonly found in:
• India
• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Southeast Asia for example Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam
It’s rare for travellers to get Japanese encephalitis, especially if you’re only travelling for a short time. You’re at higher risk of catching it if you’ll be staying in rural areas and staying near to rice fields or pig farms for one month or longer.
Signs & symptoms of Japanese encephalitis
If you have Japanese encephalitis, you won’t always have symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they’ll usually be mild and like the flu.
Some of the flu-like symptoms include:
• A headache
• A fever
• Nausea
• Being sick
• Tummy pain
The symptoms do normally go away on their own, but one in every 250 people develop more severe symptoms. This usually takes place five to 15 days after infection when it spreads to the brain.
Severe Japanese encephalitis symptoms can include:
• A severe headache
• Confusion
• Inability to speak
• Seizures (fits)
• Stiff neck
• Uncontrollable shaking of body parts
• Not being able to feel or move parts of your body (paralysis)
• Muscle weakness
You need to ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you’ve recently travelled to an area where Japanese encephalitis is present and you have symptoms like:
• Tummy pain
• Nausea
• Being sick
• A fever
• A headache
Make sure to let them know where you’ve travelled to and if you were bitten or think you were bitten by a mosquito.
Make sure to call 999 if you or someone else has severe Japanese encephalitis symptoms.
As these can be signs of many different diseases, you should seek immediate medical attention if you become unwell with flu-like symptoms and any of the symptoms listed whilst away or on your return.
Treating Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis has no cure; however treatment can be given to help the body as it fights off the infection. Symptoms usually require hospital treatments as it can be life-threatening. You might be given fluids, oxygen and medication.
In some cases, Japanese encephalitis can cause paralysis, seizures and loss of speech.
Preventing Japanese encephalitis
The Japanese encephalitis vaccination is advised if you’re travelling to areas where it’s found.
It’s also important to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitos. To help prevent bites, you should:
• Use insect repellent on any exposed skin, ideally this should contain at least 50% DEET
• Sleep under a mosquito net which has been treated with an insecticide
• Wear long sleeved tops, trousers or long skirts, socks and shoes to help protect your skin from mosquito bites
Vaccination
The vaccination for Japanese encephalitis is advised if you’re travelling to an area where it’s found. It’s given in two doses for protection. The second dose can either be given 28 days after the first, or, when time is short, seven days after the first (an ‘accelerated’ schedule). The two doses should be completed at least seven days before your departure.
If you’re at higher risk of the disease, you should consider being vaccinated. It’s particularly important if:
• You’re travelling to a high-risk country during rainy season
• You’re visiting rural areas like rice fields, marshlands or animal farms
• You’re likely to be doing activities that could increase your risk like camping
How long does the Japanese encephalitis vaccination last?
If you’re at prolonged risk of infection, you should have a booster injection 12 to 24 months after the initial vaccination.
Our service
For specialist health advice and vaccinations, book an appointment online with Boots Travel Vaccinations and Health Advice Service*. Ideally, this should be six to eight weeks before departure, but it’s never too late to seek advice if you're leaving sooner.
Travel vaccination advice
1. Book an appointment
Six to eight weeks before you travel you will need to have your travel health appointment to assess what vaccinations you need.
2. Attend a personalised risk assessment23
During the 40 minute travel health appointment our specially-trained pharmacist will advise on any vaccinations and antimalarials you need for your travelling.
3. Get any vaccinations & antimalarials you may need*
You'll also be given additional personalised advice to help you stay healthy on your trip
