Doctor Ho Dang Trung Nghia - Head of Viet Anh Infectious Diseases Department said that the patient was Mr. C.T. (born in 1999, from An Giang). After being diagnosed with encephalitis Japan, Mr. T. fell into quadriplegia, unable to breathe on his own and had to use a respiratory support device continuously since then. The patient was still conscious and communicated with the eyes, but the possibility of recovery was almost gone. Doctors assessed that Mr. T. could have consequences for life.
Another case is a 33-year-old patient living in Ho Chi Minh City, who was diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis in the early summer. After two months of active treatment, the patient was able to withdraw the ventilator but was still weak at one half, exhausted, and had to continue treatment for rehabilitation.
In addition to the two cases being treated as inpatients, in May, a male patient aged about 20-22 was also diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis and treated. However, after a period of community reintegration, the patient returned to the hospital with symptoms of fever and headache. The test results did not find a specific cause of the disease, so they were diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis and transferred to the hospital for further treatment.
According to Dr. Nghia, cases of Japanese encephalitis often have initial symptoms of fever, headache, then quickly progress to severe with neurological symptoms such as drowsiness, increased muscle tone, twitching and coma. When admitted to the hospital, most patients were in serious condition. Determining the cause of the disease requires blood and bone marrow fluid testing.
Japanese encephalitis is a dangerous infectious disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, transmitted through Culex mosquitoes, which are most commonly eaten by wild birds and livestock such as pigs and cows. After entering the body, the virus can attack the brain through the blood vessels, causing serious damage to the central nervous system.
The disease can occur at any age, in which children under 15 years old are the most commonly infected with viruses. However, healthy adults are still at risk of disease and severe complications. Statistics show that the average mortality rate of Japanese encephalitis is about 20 - 30%, while about 30 - 50% of survivors may experience sequelae such as paralysis, mental disorders, seizures, and prolonged bed lull. At the Department of Infectious Diseases, the mortality rate is about 10 - 20%, but the sequelae are up to 70%.
According to Dr. Nghia, patient T.'s case left many problems. At the time of hospitalization, his wife was pregnant. Up to now, more than two years have passed, the young father has never been able to hug his child. The patient was paralyzed, dependent on machinery for survival and received full care.
Japanese encephalitis has no specific treatment, the most effective vaccine is now a vaccine. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is included in both the expanded immunization program and the service vaccination. People need to get three basic doses and repeat every three years to maintain immunity. In case of non-iningestion or incomplete vaccination, there is still a risk of disease and serious complications.
Dr. Nghia recommends that everyone - especially children - should proactively check their vaccination history and get timely supplements to prevent Japanese encephalitis and the serious consequences it can cause.
