Encephalitis cases reported in Assam state in…

In Indel’Japanese encephalitis killed 6 people in theEtat d’Assam since April 2022 when rain-triggered flooding and landslides hit the state. According to the leadership of the National Health Mission (NHM) of Assam, the 6 deaths were among 48 cases of Japanese encephalitis reported from April to July 6, 2022. While 2 people died in the jorhat districtthe other people died in the districts of Kamrup (1), Lakhimpur (1), Nagaon (1) et Dhemaji (1).

Reminders onJapanese encephalitis :

L’Japanese encephalitis is caused by a virus (JEV, Japanese encephalitis virus) of the family of Flaviviridae. It is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex which reproduce more particularly in flooded rice fields. The virus circulates in birds and pigs. The vector mosquito has its peak activity at dusk and dawn and remains active throughout the night.

Most Japanese encephalitis virus infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately one in 250 infections results in severe illness characterized by sudden onset of high fever, headache , stiff neck, disorientation, coma, convulsive seizures, paralysis which can lead to death.

The disease is uncommon in travellers. The prevention of Japanese encephalitis relies on the following strategy.

1. Compliance with individual protective measures once morest mosquito bites:

• protect yourself once morest insect bites, in particular by applying repellents, especially on uncovered parts;
• sleep at night under a mosquito net preferably impregnated with insecticide;
• wear light, loose and covering clothing (long sleeves, trousers and closed shoes).

2. Vaccination once morest Japanese encephalitis:

Its indications were specified in an opinion of the High Council for Public Health of December 20, 2013 and concern:

• travelers required to stay in an endemic area (for whatever duration), with exposure to the outdoors (cycling, camping, hiking, outdoor work), more particularly in rural areas: areas where irrigation by flooding is practiced (rice fields), near pig farms, during an epidemic (or increased circulation of the virus in animals in countries with high vaccination coverage in humans);
• expatriates in a country located in the virus circulation zone;
• any person whose situation is deemed to be at risk by the vaccinating doctor.

The vaccination schedule consists of administering two vaccine doses of 0.5 mL 28 days apart in adults, adolescents and children from the age of 3 years. For children aged 2 months to less than 3 years, two half doses (0.25 mL) are given 28 days apart. It is now possible, in adults aged 18 to 65, to carry out an accelerated regimen in two doses administered 7 days apart. The booster dose(s) administration scheme depends on the persistence of exposure to the risk and the patient’s age.

Source : ProMED.

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