 | Related Articles |
A case series of three US adults with Japanese encephalitis, 2010-2012.
J Travel Med. 2014 Sep-Oct;21(5):310-3
Authors: Hills SL, Stoltey J, Martínez D, Kim PY, Sheriff H, Zangeneh A, Eilerman SR, Fischer M
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia. Although the risk for acquiring JE for most travelers to Asia is low, it varies based on the destination, season, trip duration, and activities.
METHODS: We present case reports of three US adults who were infected with JE virus while traveling or residing in Asia.
RESULTS: Among the three JE patients, the first made a 10-day trip to mainland China and participated in outdoor activities in a rural area, the second had been resident in Taiwan for 4 months, and the third, fatal case was an expatriate living in South Korea.
CONCLUSIONS: JE should be considered in the differential diagnosis for any patient with an acute neurologic infection, who has recently been in a JE-endemic country. Health-care providers should assess the itineraries of travelers to JE-endemic countries, provide guidance on personal protective measures to prevent vector-borne diseases, and consider recommending JE vaccine for travelers at increased risk for JE virus infection.
PMID: 24861145 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]