Japanese encephalitis cases reported in Kayin, Myanmar

There has been a major increase in the number of people infected with Japanese encephalitis in Kayin. In 2016, there were 51 reported cases of Japanese encephalitis, along with 3 deaths. This year, up to October, the number of reported infections has more than doubled to reach 123 suspected cases and 4 fatalities.

Advice

The risk of Japanese encephalitis is very low for most travellers to Asia, particularly for short-term visitors to urban areas. However, the risk varies according to season, destination, duration of travel and activities. Travellers to areas where this virus is circulating can reduce their risk of exposure to Japanese encephalitis virus by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. While vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is generally recommended for travellers visiting rural areas or engaging in agricultural activities such as rice cultivation, some of these agricultural activities where mosquitoes breed may be near or within urban centres.