Japanese encephalitis reported in Hong Kong, Vietnam
The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is urging the public to take measures to avoid mosquito bites after a case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) was reported in mid-June.
Laboratory test results just confirmed that the JE virus was found in a batch of specimens of adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus collected in Mong Tseng Wai, Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, on June 26.
“Positive results from time to time are not unexpected as JE is endemic among local pigs. Mosquitoes may acquire the virus from wading birds and pigs, which are known hosts of the virus,” a CHP spokesman said. “The anti-mosquito actions and monitoring of JE vectors will continue.”
In Vietnam, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health issued a warning because of increases of JE. At the Central Children Hospital in Hanoi, 130 cases of Japanese encephalitis were admitted; six of them had to put on breathing machines since the beginning of the year.
In 2013, around Japanese encephalitis cases accounted for 8 percent of total encephalitis, this year the proportion is up to 30 percent.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia and the western Pacific. It is a viral disease transmitted by Culicine mosquitoes.
Most human infections are asymptomatic or result in only mild symptoms. However, a small percentage of infected persons develop inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), with symptoms including sudden onset of headache, high fever, disorientation, coma, tremors and convulsions.
About 1 in 4 cases are fatal. There is no specific treatment for JE. Patient management focuses on supportive care and management of complications. Steps to prevent JE include using personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites and vaccination. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page