Japanese encephalitis

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Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (pronunciation: /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz ˌɛnˌsɛfəˈlaɪtɪs/) is a disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a member of the Flavivirus genus in the family Flaviviridae.

Etymology

The term "Japanese encephalitis" is derived from the country where the disease was first documented, Japan, and "encephalitis", which is derived from the Greek words "enkephalos" (brain) and "-itis" (inflammation).

Symptoms

The disease is characterized by inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can lead to headaches, high fever, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. However, most people infected with JEV have either no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

Transmission

Japanese encephalitis is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly those of the Culex species. The virus is maintained in a cycle between mosquitoes and vertebrate hosts, primarily pigs and wading birds.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of Japanese encephalitis primarily involves protection against mosquito bites and vaccination. There is no specific treatment for the disease; care is based on symptoms.

Epidemiology

Japanese encephalitis is endemic in parts of Asia and the western Pacific. The World Health Organization estimates that there are approximately 68,000 clinical cases every year.

See Also

External links

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