The Japanese encephalitis virus is one of the most common travel related diseases with around 50,000 cases per year. It is spread by infected mosquitos found primarily in South East Asia and the Far East. There is a vaccine available to prevent this potentially fatal disease, so it is advised to see your travel doctor well before travel to high risk countries.

Infection

Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. The incubation period is generally between 6 and 16 days so it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a suspected infection. Japanese encephalitis can not be transmitted from person to person.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis vary depending on the severity of the infection but may include:

• lethargy
• neck rigidity
• high fever
• headache
• disorientation
• tremors
• gastrointestinal symptoms

Treatment

There is no specific therapy to treat Japanese encephalitis. Patient care focuses on treating the symptoms displayed.

Prevention

There are two methods of prevention of Japanese encephalitis:

1. Vaccination
   Immunisation against Japanese encephalitis involves a course of vaccinations over a 30 day period. The vaccine is given on days 0, 7, and 28. A booster vaccine is required every 3 years.
   
2. Mosquito Avoidance
   If you find yourself in a high risk area and you haven’t been vaccinated, then you can follow these tips for mosquito avoidance:
   
   • Use an insect repellent.
   • Stay indoors between dawn and dusk.
   • Cover up with light coloured, loose fitting clothing.
   • Avoid strong scented soaps and perfumes.
   • When sleeping, use a mosquito net impregnated with insecticide.

High Risk Destinations

Your travel doctor can give you specifics about prevention of this virus and whether vaccination is required or advised in your case, however, the broad regions where your are most likely to find the infected mosquitos are:

• South East Asia
• Far East

Specific high risk countries vary depending on recent outbreaks. These countries may include:

• Bali
• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Thailand
• Timor
• Torres Strait islands
• Vietnam

Visit your doctor to determine the best method of prevention or treatment for you.

Most of us wouldn’t even think twice about the possible diseases we can contract while on holiday. Unfortunately, when we travel we find ourselves at higher risk of disease than if we had stayed at home. This is due to a number of reasons such as:

• being in a different climate
• being in a different environment
• having more contact and closer contact with other people
• eating in less sanitary places
• being faced with less hygienic facilities
• participating in more risking behaviour than your would at home
• being exposed to diseases which are less prevalent in Australia

Check with your doctor before departing on holiday for information on travel vaccinations which can prevent a number of the common travel related diseases. However, vaccines are not always available and other methods of prevention are required.

Top 10 Travel Related Diseases

1. Cholera
   Cholera is a disease caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans by food or water. Contamination usually occurs when untreated sewerage is released into waterways and then that water is used in the preparation of food. Symptoms include severe muscle and stomach cramps. Prevention includes sterilising water before use by boiling and/or filtering.
   
2. Dengue Fever
   Dengue fever is caused by a virus found in the tropics. It is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitos. Symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and fever along with a bright red rash (although this is not always present). Currently, there is no vaccine available for the prevention of dengue fever so the best way to avoid this disease to avoid being bitten by mosquitos in affected areas.
   
3. Hepatitis
   Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and jaundice. There are numerous types of hepatitis but the most common form contracted when travelling is hepatitis A. Hepatitis A can be spread through personal contact, consumption of raw seafood or by contaminated water. A vaccine is available to prevent infection from hepatitis A for life. A vaccine is also available to prevent hepatitis B.
   
4. HIV/AIDS
   HIV infection can occur by the transfer of blood, via sexual contact or by breast milk. Prevention includes avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse and contaminated needles. There is no vaccine available to prevent infection.
   
5. Japanese Encephalitis
   Japanese encephalitis is a disease spread by infected mosquitos. Travellers to Southeast Asia and the Far East are at the most risk. Sever neck rigidity, fever, and headache are symptoms of this sometimes fatal disease. See your doctor about vaccines available to prevent Japanese encephalitis.
   
6. Malaria
   Malaria is an infectious disease found in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is generally spread by mosquitos and is particularly common in Sub-Sahara Africa. Symptoms include fever, shivering, joint pain, and vomiting. No vaccine is currently available for Malaria however, preventative drugs are available to help reduce your risk of infection.
   
7. Meningococcal Meningitis
   This disease is a bacterial infection spread by close contact with an infected person. It is more common in young people. Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, stiff neck, and a rash. A vaccine is available to prevent certain groups of the meningococcal bacteria.
   
8. Rabies
   Rabies is a virus affecting mammals, including humans. It is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal such as a dog, cat, bat or fox. Initial symptoms to appear are similar to the flu. Post exposure vaccinations are effective if administered promptly. Although Australia is rabies free, most countries are not. The vast majority of cases of rabies occur in Africa, Asia, and South America.
   
9. Typhoid
   Typhoid is a common bacterial illness transmitted by ingested food or water contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, and diarrhoea. You can be vaccinated against typhoid fever and vaccination is recommended for people travelling to certain areas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
   
10. Yellow Fever
    Yellow fever is a viral disease spread primarily by mosquitos. Symptoms include fever, headache, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, and a slow pulse. Yellow fever is preventable by a vaccine which gives immunity for around 10 years. Vaccination may be necessary for travellers to certain regions in Africa, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Travel vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please see your doctor for full information on vaccinations and other prevention methods well before travelling to high risk destinations.

The East Perth Medical Centre has created the Travel Vaccination website to provide information for Australians about travel vaccination requirements. You can find information on which vaccinations are required for travel to certain countries. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact us and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Our doctors and medical staff have many years of experience in a wide range of fields. Although we focus on the administration of travel vaccinations, we also provide other health services including:

• Acupuncture
• Adult and child immunisations
• Audiometry testing
• Blood pressure reviews
• Breast examinations
• Contraception advice
• Cryotherapy
• Diabetes reviews
• Diving medicals
• ECG
• Executive medicals
• Fitness medicals
• General health assessments
• GP management plans
• Home visits
• HUET medicals
• Insurance medicals
• Medication management reviews
• Minor surgical procedures (such as skin cancer, skin lesion, and wart removal)
• Motor vehicle accidents claims
• On-site pathology services
• Pap smears
• Phlebotomy
• Pre-employment medicals
• Prostate screening
• Skin care checkups
• Spirometry testing
• Sports injuries
• Travel vaccinations
• Workers compensation claims

We are able to provide other services so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to make an appointment.

We also appreciate your feedback which is invaluable in improving our service and facilities. Leave a comment if you have any suggestions for the medical centre or this website.