Travel Health
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
Source: National Coordination Centre for Travellers' Health (LCR). Last updated December 14, 2023 · Open the LCR page
What is Japanese encephalitis?
According to LCR (Dutch travel advice)
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
You can get Japanese encephalitis in rural Asia and in parts of Australia.
You get the disease if you are bitten by a mosquito carrying Japanese encephalitis. Those mosquitoes bite in the evening and at night. You cannot infect other people.
The disease is usually mild and resembles flu with fever, headache and gut symptoms. Rarely it is worse and causes inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Then there is a chance of disability or death.
Keep mosquitoes away in the evening and at night with repellent, covering clothes and a mosquito net. There is a vaccine, but you only receive it when you are at prolonged risk. Ask a travel clinic whether vaccination is needed for your trip.
According to WHO
- Japanese encephalitis is a flavivirus related to dengue and yellow fever, spread by mosquitoes (especially Culex).
- It occurs mainly in rural Asia. One estimate is about 100,000 clinical cases and 25,000 deaths a year worldwide.
- Infected people do not infect feeding mosquitoes. Safe and effective vaccines exist.
Depends on your trip
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (Democratische Volksrepubliek Korea)
- Korea, Republic of (Republiek Korea)
- Laos (Democratische Volksrepubliek Laos)
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Myanmar (voormalig Birma)
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Russian Federation
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan, Province of China
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
Frequently asked questions
- What is Japanese encephalitis?
- Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
- Which countries is Japanese encephalitis relevant for?
- LCR mentions Japanese encephalitis for 27 destinations, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia. Open a country for the full advice.
- Is vaccination against Japanese encephalitis required?
- LCR lists Japanese encephalitis mainly as advice, not as a required entry vaccination. Whether you need it depends on your trip.
- When should I get travel vaccinations?
- Book a travel clinic appointment 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need more than one dose.
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