JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS: AN OVERVIEW OF THE DISEASE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TYPICAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES

Abstract

Presently, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is one of the most awful mosquito-borne diseases. It is caused by a virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae and consists of a single stranded positive-sense RNA, wrapped in a nucleocapsid and surrounded by a glycoprotein containing envelope. Amongst the most important vectors of this disease are the Culex tritaeniorynchus and Culex vishnui. JE infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in South East Asia and far east countries. Studies of the viral structure, clinical presentation and classification, basic to advanced diagnostic tools, and primary treatments, are necessary for effective disease prevention and control. This review summarizes current basic knowledge of Japanese Encephalitis virus infection, based on clinical and laboratory studies and embodies the presently available therapeutic measures to counter the disease. This overview should be useful for developing advanced disease control programs and further research.