Japanese Encephalitis Travel Vaccinations

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Japanese Encephalitis Travel Vaccinations
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What is Japanese encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is caused by a virus. It is
passed to humans by the bite of infected
mosquitoes. It cannot be transmitted by other
humans. Japanese encephalitis is usually a mild
illness. In many cases there are no symptoms.
However, in a small number of cases (about 1 in
200 infected people) the illness is much more
serious. In these people, the infection may start
with fever, tiredness, headache, vomiting, and
sometimes confusion and agitation. This may
progress to encephalitis (inflammation of the
brain). This can cause permanent brain damage and
is fatal in some cases.
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Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout Southeast
Asia and the Far East. It is mainly a problem in
rural farming areas. It occurs more commonly in
the rainy season (roughly May-September) when the
mosquitoes are most active. Your doctor or
practice nurse can advise if you should have this
immunisation for your travel destination. General
ly, it is advised for travelers who stay for a
month or longer during the transmission season in
rural areas of certain countries in Southeast
Asia and the Far East. It may be advised for
shorter trips to these countries if you are at
particular high risk. For example, if you travel
to areas where rice and pig farming co-exist or
if you do a lot of outdoor activities.
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The vaccine schedule
The vaccine stimulates your body to make
antibodies against the virus. These antibodies
protect you from illness should you become
infected with this virus. In May 2009, a new
Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Ixiaro, became
available. This is the vaccine recommended in the
UK. It is licensed for use in infants aged 2
months, and older. This is usually given as two
injections the second injection is given 28 days
after the first. Full immunity takes up to a
month to develop. The course of injections should
be completed at least one week before departure.
So, you should see your practice nurse well in
advance of your travel date. A booster dose
should then be given within the second year after
the initial course of two injections.
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Are there any possible side-effects from the
vaccine?

• Mild pain and redness occur at the site of
  injection in some people.
• The most common side-effects after receiving the
  Ixiaro vaccine are headache and muscle aches.
• Other less common reactions with the Ixiaro
  vaccine include a flu-like illness, fever and
  fatigue.

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Japanese Encephalitis at TravelDoc
IXIARO vaccine costs only 79 per dose at
TravelDoc. The primary schedule consists of two
vaccines 28 days apart. An accelerated schedule
for adultscan be given 7 days apart. The vaccine
is not live and is therefore easily
tolerated. There is no cure for Japanese
Encephalitis. It should be considered for
travellers to South East Asia, for example India,
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China,
Indonesia, Bali, Malaysia, Phillipines.
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