Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious infection caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus.
It occurs mainly in rural parts of Asia.
It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It does not spread from person to person.
Risk is very low for most travelers. It is higher for people living in areas where the disease is common, or for people traveling there for long periods of time.
Most people infected with JE virus don’t have any symptoms. Others might have symptoms as mild as a fever and headache, or as serious as encephalitis (brain infection).
A person with encephalitis can experience fever, neck stiffness, seizures, and coma. About 1 person in 4 with encephalitis dies. Up to half of those who don’t die have permanent disability.
It is believed that infection in a pregnant woman could harm her unborn baby.
JE vaccine can help protect travelers from JE disease.
