Travel Medicine Clinic at Hartshorn Health Service (970)-491-7121

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. It occurs in rural agricultural areas throughout Asia. Visiting a rural-agricultural, rice growing, pig farming region can put a traveler at risk, although most travelers are not at risk unless they stay for prolonged periods (four weeks or more) in these regions (more information).

Symptoms

Most JE infections are asymptomatic. Symptoms of severe illness include nausea, vomiting, headache and fever. Illness can be severe and mortality can be as high as 25% of those who develop illness. Thirty percent of those with illness will develop permanent neurological damage.

Prevention

All travelers should take measures to prevent mosquito bites using appropriate clothing, bed netting and insect repellents (See Preventing Insect Borne Diseases).

JE Vaccine

Three doses of JE vaccine administered over a 30 day period (day 0, 7, 30) are recommended for travelers who will be at risk. The series needs to be completed at least 10 days prior to departure to allow time for immunity and observe any side effects that could occur.

There is a 20% chance of localized tenderness, redness or swelling after the immunization. Less common symptoms include headache, itching, fever, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, hives, vasodilation (flushing) and dizziness. The most severe side effects include widespread rash, angioedema (edema in the face or other body parts) and hypotension. These more severe symptoms are rare (<6cases/100,000 doses). They usually occur within a few days and up to 10 days after administration of the vaccine.

Because of these delayed side effects, travelers should complete the series more than 10 days before travel.

Hartshorn Health Service does not offer JE vaccinations (nor does Larimer County Health Department). They can be obtained at Weld County Health Department, phone: (970) 304-6415