Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus* is caused by a bite from an infected* mosquito and is closely related to West Nile Virus and Saint Louis Encephalitis virus.
Overview
How can I get sick?
- Japanese encephalitis is spread through the bite of an infected* mosquito.
- The virus keeps going between mosquitoes, pigs, and wading/water birds (meaning that pigs or water birds can become infected* with the virus and transfer the virus to other mosquitos that feed on these animals).
- Humans are considered a “dead end” host because they usually do not have enough JE virus in their blood to give the virus* to mosquitos that bite humans.
Symptoms in humans:
Most people do not show any signs of having JE. Less than 1% of people that have JE virus get sick. The symptoms are:
- Fever (when your body gets a little hotter than normal)
- Headache
- Throwing up
- Changes in mental status
- Weakness
- Seizures* (common among children)
What can I do to stay healthy?
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites
- Use insect repellents* while hiking, camping, hunting, or being outside. Ask an adult to help you with insect repellent*.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks when outside.
- Treat your clothes, gear (boots, tents, backpacks or camping gear), or any outdoor equipment with insect repellent*.
- Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.
- Remove anything that will bring mosquitoes into your home. For example, emptying standing water from pots, buckets, barrels, and other containers.
What to do when traveling overseas
- Use insect repellents* while hiking, camping, hunting, or being outside. Ask an adult to help you with insect repellent*.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks when outside.
- Treat your clothes, gear (boots, tents, backpacks or camping gear), or any outdoor equipment with repellent.
- Choose a hotel or place to stay that has air conditioning or windows and doors with screens to keep mosquitos outside.
- Use mosquito nets when sleeping outside or if you are staying in a room with no screens on windows or doors.
Vaccine*: There is a vaccine available, please see your doctor for more information.
*Definitions:
- Infected: When germs get inside of a body, animal, or an organism.
- Insect Repellent: Product applied to skin, clothing or surfaces to keep insects away.
- Seizures: Abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can usually cause shaking all over and losing control of your body.
- Virus: Viruses are the smallest germ, so tiny that they can spread through the air or in tiny droplets from a cough or sneeze. Viruses live almost everywhere on the planet. They can be found in animals, plants, and other living organisms.
- Vaccines: Shots given to humans and animals to keep them healthy and safe.
Species Affected
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Learn About Other Diseases
Click below to learn more about the many different diseases that can spread between animals and humans.
Diseases