ANTI-JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS B VACCINE
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese Encephalitis is a disease caused by a viral infection of the brain, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
The mosquito in question Culex lives in river areas and bites in the early evening after sunset, outside habitations.
The majority of infections are asymptomatic. However, in the presence of illness, they are manifested by fever, headache and neurological symptoms
It can impart permanent damage (epilepsy, paralysis, mental retardation, etc.) and death in 30% of symptomatic cases.
Prevention
The risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis is minimal for most travellers to Asia.
The traveller staying more than 30 days, sleeping in affected rural areas of East or South-east Asia or the Indian sub-continent, particularly with hot and humid outside temperatures favour insect reproduction, should apply protective measures against insect bites and undergo vaccination.
Completed vaccination gives good protection and enduring immunity. More than 80 million doses of this vaccine have been administered in Japan with no serious neurological complications.
Possible side-effects and procedures to follow:
1. A few hours following administration of the vaccine, the vacinnated person may experience swelling and redness with or without increased sensitivity around the injection site. Application of cold compresses reduces such symptoms.
2. Fever rarely results from administration of the vaccine. In the event of fever, it is advisable to rest, drink plenty of fluids and use an antipyretic medicine (if fever exceeds 38.5°C oral or 39,0°C+ rectal) such as acetaminophen.
3. After vaccination, the vaccinated person may present a small nodule (bump on the skin) at the injection site which will disappear after a few weeks.
4. Extremely rarely, the vaccinated person may develop a severe allergic reaction, or a neurological syndrome. Exceptionnellement, la personne peut développer
5. Should troublesome reactions occur following vaccination, consult a physician and tell us. Mention all previous reactions to vaccination at the time of subsequent booster shots.
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