'More than devastating'-patient experiences and neurological sequelae of Japanese encephalitis

Turtle, Lance ORCID: 0000-0002-0778-1693, Easton, Ava, Defres, Sylviane, Ellul, Mark ORCID: 0000-0002-6115-8245, Bovill, Begona, Hoyle, Jim, Jung, Agam, Lewthwaite, Penny and Solomon, Tom ORCID: 0000-0001-7266-6547 (2019) 'More than devastating'-patient experiences and neurological sequelae of Japanese encephalitis. JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, 26 (7). taz064-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taz064

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Japanese encephalitis (JE), caused by the mosquito-borne JE virus, is a vaccine-preventable disease endemic to much of Asia. Travellers from non-endemic areas are susceptible if they travel to a JE endemic area. Although the risk to travellers of JE is low, the consequences may be severe.<h4>Methods</h4>Here, we describe three cases of JE in British travellers occurring in 2014-15. In addition, we report, through interviews with survivors and their families, personal experiences of life after JE.<h4>Results</h4>Three cases of JE were diagnosed in British travellers in 2014/15. One was acquired in Thailand, one in China and one in either Thailand, Laos or Cambodia. All three patients suffered severe, life-threatening illnesses, all were admitted to intensive care units and required medical evacuation back to the UK. One patient suffered a cardiac arrest during the acute stage but made a good recovery. The other two patients remain significantly paralysed and ventilator dependent. All three cases had clear indications for vaccination, and all have been left with life-changing neurological sequelae.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Travel health providers should be aware of the severity of JE, as well as the risk, allowing travellers to make fully informed decisions on JE vaccination.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Japanese encephalitis, JE, JE virus, JE vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Travel medicine, Traveller
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	03 Oct 2019 08:44
Last Modified:	25 Jan 2024 02:44
DOI:	10.1093/jtm/taz064
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taz064
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3056832