Japanese encephalitis in Asia: A comprehensive review

Japanese encephalitis (JE) which is caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a significant public health concern in Asia. The JEV is mainly transmitted by Culex mosquitoes breeding in flooded rice fields. The disease can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis and long-term neurological effects with potentially fatal outcomes with a 30% mortality rate. This review aims to gather information on JE’s public health importance, JE epidemiology, history, vaccination strategies, and public health interventions in Asian countries. A systematic literature search was conducted across various databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, including publications up till 2024. Search terms included “Japanese encephalitis”, “epidemiology”, “outbreaks”, “prevalence” and “prevention & control”. This review highlights the importance of comprehensive vaccination strategies and integrated vector management. Continued efforts are essential to enhance vaccination coverage and strengthen public health infrastructure to mitigate the burden of JE in Asia.