About russian autumnal encephalitis

What is russian autumnal encephalitis?

Japanese Encephalitis is a severe inflammation of the brain caused by the Japanese B Encephalitis Virus that is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes in certain areas of the world, particularly Asia. This disorder most commonly affects children and tends to be more actively spread during the summer. Symptoms include high fever, headaches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, personality changes, and coma, possibly leading to neurological damage or death.

What are the symptoms for russian autumnal encephalitis?

It’s rare to get symptoms from it. Less than 1% of infected people get sick.

If you do get symptoms, they usually start about 4 to 15 days after you were bitten. Many people who develop symptoms get a mild Headache and fever. A child may throw up or tell you their stomach hurts.

The infection makes about 1 in 250 severely ill, though. Severe disease can bring on:

  • High fever
  • Headache
  • Neck stiffness
  • Confusion
  • Weakness
  • Trouble moving
  • Coma
  • Seizures (especially in children)

Call your doctor right away if you think you or a loved one is having symptoms of Japanese encephalitis.

About 1 in 4 people who develop severe disease die. Anywhere from 20% to 50% of people who get ill and survive have lasting symptoms, which could include paralysis, seizures, or loss of the ability to speak.

What are the causes for russian autumnal encephalitis?

A bite from an infected mosquito causes it. Culex species mosquitoes usually get the Japanese encephalitis virus from pigs and wading birds before they pass the virus to people.

The virus doesn’t spread from person to person.

What are the treatments for russian autumnal encephalitis?

Doctors don’t have a specific treatment for it. If you get severely ill, you may need to go to the hospital and get fluids through an IV or help breathing. Your care team will ease your symptoms and try to keep you comfortable while the virus runs its course.

What are the risk factors for russian autumnal encephalitis?

Being in an environment with a lot of musquitos. Moving to an Asian or western Pacific country where Japanese encephalitis is endemic (commonly found), traveling there for a month or longer, or visiting often. Traveling there for less than a month but facing a higher risk for infection, based on things like the season, your exact destination, the places you’ll be staying, and the things you’ll be doing.

Is there a cure/medications for russian autumnal encephalitis?

Is There a Vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis?

Yes. In the United States, the Japanese encephalitis vaccine is a two-dose shot called Ixiaro. It’s approved for people 2 months old and older. Vaccines made in other countries aren’t licensed for use in the U.S.

From 1993 -- when a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis became available in the U.S. -- through 2017, doctors have reported 12 cases of Japanese encephalitis among American travelers.

The CDC recommends you get vaccinated with Ixiaro if you’re:

  • Moving to an Asian or western Pacific country where Japanese encephalitis is endemic (commonly found)
  • Traveling there for a month or longer, or visiting often
  • Traveling there for less than a month but facing a higher risk for infection, based on things like the season, your exact destination, the places you’ll be staying, and the things you’ll be doing

Ask your doctor if you should get vaccinated even if you’re not sure about the specifics of how long you’ll be traveling to an endemic area, the exact areas you’ll be visiting, or the activities you’ll be doing.

The CDC doesn’t recommend the Japanese encephalitis vaccine if you’re taking a short trip to urban areas or traveling during a season where the virus isn’t spreading as much. If you’re not sure whether you need to get the vaccine, check with your doctor and tell them about your travel plans.

If you get vaccinated with Ixiaro, you’ll need two doses. People 18 to 65 years old can get their second dose as early as 7 days after the first. Everyone else should get their second dose 28 days after the first.

You should get the second dose of the vaccine at least 1 week before you travel. And you should get a third (booster) dose if you got your first two shots a year ago or longer and you’re still at risk of catching the Japanese encephalitis virus.

In general, the vaccine can bring on mild side effects like:

  • Pain and tenderness around where you got the shot
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Low-grade fever

A dose of Ixiaro (0.5 milliliters, the amount that people 3 years old and up get) may cost anywhere from $250 to $340 or more without insurance, depending on which pharmacy you buy it from and what discounts you can get. If you have health insurance, you can call your insurer and ask if they cover any or all of the cost.

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