Japanese encephalitis at peak, risk of spreading strongly

The Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said that viral encephalitis (including Japanese encephalitis cases) has tended to increase in recent weeks.

High fever can be a symptom of encephalitis.

Among them, Japanese encephalitis is at its peak, with a high risk of spreading if not fully vaccinated. The disease is most concentrated in the northern delta and midland provinces, usually appearing from April to October.

Mr. Tran Dac Phu, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, said that in the first 6 months of this year, cases of Japanese encephalitis were recorded in the following provinces and cities: Hanoi, Bac Giang, Dien Bien, Son La, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Thai Binh, Lao Cai...

Every year, the country records from several hundred to 1,000 cases of viral encephalitis, and about 20% of these are Japanese encephalitis. Japanese encephalitis is common in children under 15 years old, with a high mortality rate (up to 10 - 20%), and can cause long-term sequelae that affect physical and mental development.

Common symptoms: sudden high fever (39 - 400C) with headache, nausea and vomiting, followed by convulsions, stiffness, paralysis and mental disturbances (restlessness, delirium, lethargy, confusion, coma).

According to TNO