Epidemiology and burden of disease from Japanese encephalitis in Cambodia: results from two years of sentinel surveillance

Type Journal Article - Tropical Medicine & International Health
Title Epidemiology and burden of disease from Japanese encephalitis in Cambodia: results from two years of sentinel surveillance
Author(s)
Volume 14
Issue 11
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2009
Page numbers 1365-1373
URL http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/19747185
Abstract
Objectives To describe the results from two years of Japanese encephalitis (JE) sentinel surveillance in Cambodia.

Methods Sentinel site surveillance for JE in children aged 15 years and under was implemented in Cambodia in mid-2006. It was integrated into the routine meningoencephalitis surveillance system. Six hospitals were selected as sentinel sites. Epidemiological information and diagnostic specimens were collected from each patient presenting with meningoencephalitis. Cerebrospinal fluid and sera were tested for presence of immunoglobulin M antibodies against JE and dengue viruses by an ELISA. Surveillance data from 2006 to 2008 were analysed.

Results Of 586 patients presenting with meningoencephalitis, 110 (19%) were confirmed to have JE. The percentage of confirmed JE cases at individual sentinel sites ranged from 13% to 35% of all meningoencephalitis cases. Mean age was 6.2 years, with 95% of JE cases in children aged 12 years and under. Cases occurred year-round in both 12-month reporting periods.

Conclusions JE is an important cause of meningoencephalitis in Cambodian children. As JE is a vaccine-preventable disease, an immunization programme could result in a considerable reduction in morbidity and mortality from JE among children in Cambodia.

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