Encephalitis in Andhra Pradesh - CDC

wonderwomanusa

This notice is specifically for re-posting. If you're going to be in villages in Andhra this year, it might be a good time to re-think that Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

Notice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
(Released August 8, 2003)

Outbreak of Encephalitis, Andhra Pradesh, India

CDC has received reports from GeoSentinel, an international network of travel and tropical medicine clinics and a CDC partner, about an outbreak of encephalitis in Andhra Pradesh, India. From June 1, 2003, through July 24, 279 cases, including 154 deaths were reported. All the deaths occurred in young persons ages 2 to 21 years.

The cause of the outbreak is not clear. Preliminary laboratory reports by Indian government investigators show that, of 60 specimens tested, results for three suggest Japanese Encephalitis (a mosquito-borne disease) as the cause of illness. Additional testing in India has also suggested another viral etiology. Confirmatory testing is being requested. The outbreak has primarily affected lower socioeconomic groups living in villages of Andhra Pradesh state. The local government has started mosquito control measures.

For information about protection for mosquito bites and other
arthropods see: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/bugs.htm