Common Diseases

Encepahlitis

Encepahlitis is communicated to humans by blood feeding arthropods (ticks and mosquitos). The majority of human infections are asymptomatic or may result in a nonspecific flu-like syndrome. Onset may be insidious or sudden with fever, headache, myalgias, malaise and occasionally prostration. Infection may, however, lead to encephalitis, with a fatal outcome or permanent neurologic sequelae. Fortunately, only a small proportion of infected persons progress to frank encephalitis.

There are no commercially available human vaccines for this virus. To prevent being bitten by infected anthropods wear long pants and long sleeved shirts when outdoors in infected/endemic areas, apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin areas, and use nets treated with insecticide in living areas and/or tents.