Japanese encephalitis and the traveller

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito borne arbovirus disease that is endemic over a wide area of Asia, India, and the south eastern USSR. The disease is associated with a severe encephalitis, a high death rate and a high incidence of neurological sequelae in survivors. While natives of endemic areas may develop immunity, Western travellers are at risk. To date there have been two reported cases of Japanese encephalitis in people returning to Australia from overseas. A vaccine against Japanese encephalitis is available.