Japanese Encephalitis in Travelers from Non-Endemic Countries, 1973–2008

Susan L. Hills Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Anne C. Griggs Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Marc Fischer Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0676
Volume/Issue:
Volume 82: Issue 5
Page(s):
930–936
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Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a severe disease and a risk for travelers who visit JE-endemic countries. We reviewed all published JE cases in travelers from non-endemic areas from 1973 through 2008, and assessed factors related to risk of infection. There were 55 cases that occurred in citizens of 17 countries. Age range of case-patients was 1–91 years (median = 34 years). Ten (18%) persons died and 24 (44%) had mild to severe sequelae. In a detailed risk assessment of 37 case-patients, 24 (65%) had spent ≥ 1 month in JE-endemic areas, and most had factors identified that may have increased infection risk. The estimate of overall JE risk was low, < 1 case/1 million travelers to JE-endemic countries. Nonetheless, for each traveler, a careful assessment of itinerary and activities, a decision on vaccination, and information on mosquito precautions are needed to reduce the risk of this disease.

Author Notes

*Address correspondence to Susan L. Hills, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3150 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521. E-mail: shills@cdc.gov

Authors' addresses: Susan L. Hills, Anne C. Griggs, and Marc Fischer, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, E-mails: shills@cdc.gov, anne.griggs@gmail.com, and mfischer@cdc.gov.

Copyright:
©The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2010
Received:
10 Nov 2009
|
Accepted:
31 Jan 2010
|
Published Online:
05 May 2010
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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