What is Japanese Encephalitis?

About Japanese Encephalitis:

• It is a potentially severe viral zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis(B) virus.
• Transmission:
  • The virus is transmitted from animals – particularly pigs and birds belonging to the Ardeidae family, such as cattle egrets, pond herons, etc. – to humans by the Culex mosquito of the Vishnui group.
  • There is no human-to-human transmission of the virus.
• The disease is most common in rural areas of Asia, particularly during monsoon seasons when mosquito breeding is prevalent.
• Symptoms:
  • It affects the brain, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, and neurological signs such as confusion, seizures, and paralysis.
  • While many infected individuals may show mild or no symptoms, severe cases can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
• Prevention and Treatment:
  • Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy, particularly in endemic regions.
  • Early diagnosis and supportive treatment can help manage symptoms, but there is no specific antiviral treatment for Japanese Encephalitis.
  • According to the central government guidelines, two doses of the vaccine have been a part of the Universal Immunisation Programme since 2013.

Q1: What is a Virus?

A virus is an infectious microbe consisting of a segment of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. A virus cannot replicate alone; instead, it must infect cells and use components of the host cell to make copies of itself. Often, a virus ends up killing the host cell in the process, causing damage to the host organism. Well-known examples of viruses causing human disease include AIDS, COVID-19, measles and smallpox.

News: Delhi Reports 'Isolated' Case Of Japanese Encephalitis