According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease endemic to Sarawak.
So, if your baby isn’t born in Sarawak, they may not be required to take the vaccine. Otherwise, the JE vaccine is mandatory for Sarawak-born newborns—even if you or them are not a native Sarawakian.
Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccine
The JE vaccine prevents the spread of a deadly zoonotic (animal origin) virus that attacks the brain.
Only two brands have been approved so far for JE vaccination, IXIARO and IMOJEV. Both are inactivated virus vaccines.
In Malaysia, the brand IMOJEV is used.
According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the first dose is given to babies aged 9 months old and the second dose at 21 months old. Only 2 doses are required for lifelong immunity although 3-dose vaccinations are not uncommon in adults.
Booster doses may be required for children aged 1 year and above who have completed the full vaccination. This is important especially if they live or are travelling to rural endemic zones.
If you’re a Semanjung native travelling to Sarawak with an unvaccinated baby, be sure to get them and yourself immunised first.
Two doses are usually required for children (1 year old and up) and adults with a 1-to-4-week gap between doses.
Japanese Encephalitis
First discovered in Japan in 1871 (hence the name), Japanese encephalitis primarily spreads through infected mosquito bites (Culex type).
It is endemic to Sarawak and also located in other parts of Asia like Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Nepal and less commonly in West Malaysia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 50,000 cases of Japanese Encephalitis reported each year with over 20,000 deaths. The disease has a 9% mortality rate in Sarawak.
The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) reports that symptoms begin within 5 to 15 days of infection and typically present in the following ways:
- High grade fever
- Chills and rigors
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach ache
- Mental disorders such as confusion and behavioural change
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Complications arise when victims start to experience complications like convulsions, coma and personality changes.
Children are at higher risk of these complications. Death and disability are more common in babies.
Survivors can suffer anything from deafness to mental retardation. There is currently no cure for Japanese encephalitis.
Protect your Family
Just like with many viral infections, JE can leave long-lasting effects on a newborn if they’re not protected.
Sarawak natives may not have to worry about the vaccination because hospitals will automatically administer the JE vaccine to newborns.
But if you’re travelling to Sarawak, make sure to vaccinate your family before you go—even if you don’t have a baby.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 13). Symptoms & treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis/symptoms/index.html#:~:text=Initial%20symptoms%20often%20include%20fever,20%25%20%E2%80%93%2030%25%20die.
- Dottie. (2017, April 28). Japanese encephalitis (je) – ta. PORTAL MyHEALTH. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/prime-years-japanese-encephalitis-je-2/
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Japanese encephalitis. World Health Organization. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-and-policy-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccines-quality/japanese-encephalitis#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20the,term%2C%20neuro%2Dpsychiatric%20sequelae.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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