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Japanese encephalitis

Overview

Open all pages about Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is not found in the UK. It's mostly found in rural parts of Asia and is caused by a virus that's spread through mosquito bites.

You can reduce your risk of getting Japanese encephalitis while travelling by avoiding mosquito bites and getting the Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis can include a headache, stiff neck, being sick, tummy pain, confusion, seizures and a high temperature.

If you're seriously ill with Japanese encephalitis you'll need to be treated in hospital where you'll be given medicines to help with the symptoms.

Japanese encephalitis is a rare infection you can get from mosquito bites. It's mostly found in rural parts of Asia.

Page last reviewed: 05/06/2023
Next review due: 05/06/2026