Summer and autumn are peak seasons for Encephalitis B. According to the report of the Ministry of Health, Encephalitis B has recently occurred in some provinces around Beijing.
The full name of Encephalitis B is Meningococcal Meningitis, an acute infectious disease caused by Encephalitis B virus, with brain inflammation as main lesion and often prevalent in summer and autumn. From July to September is peak season for the disease whose latent period is 4-21 days.
Encephalitis B is a zoonose, with pig as the main host of Encephalitis B virus and mosquito as the main medium. However, direct infection is impossible among human beings. Major species which spread Encephalitis B is the Culex tritaeniorhynchus. According to the monitoring data from the Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, above 95% of the mosquito species in Beijing is Culex pipiens pallens, and the Culex tritaeniorhynchus is paddy field infested and rare in urban areas.
Most people are susceptible to Encephalitis B virus, but most of the cases are silent infections after which lasting immunity can be obtained. The clinical symptoms of Encephalitis B involve high fever, conscious disturbance, convulsion, and meningeal irritation signs such as neck rigidity and projectile vomiting, etc.. Mild and normal patients can recover but the case fatality of serious and fulminant type patients is up to 15% and above, and the survivers may suffer varied sequelae. So far there is no effective medicine specialized for Encephalitis B.
However, Encephalitis B can be effectively prevented by vaccination of Encephalitis B vaccine. Encephalitis B live attenuated vaccine has been used in Beijing since 1970s. Today, Encephalitis B vaccine has been listed in the planned vaccination for children of Beijing, and children can take one for free at both one year old and two years old. The statistics show that in recent ten years, the rate of vaccination of Encephalitis B vaccine is kept above 95%, and a better immunization protective screen has been formed. Therefore, the status of Encephalitis B is steady in Beijing and the epidemic situation is sporadic with a low disease rate.
The primary measure to prevent Encephalitis B is to kill mosquitoes. We should keep a clean environment and thoroughly clear dead angle and the breeding place of mosquitoes. Screen door and window may be installed in rooms to prevent mosquitoes. Mosquito incense and electric mosquito repellent can be used in rooms to destroy and expel mosquitoes, and insect aerosol can be used for the same end. Anophelifuge can be coated on skin for people outdoors.
Second, more effort should be made to control cattle and fowl. Their enclosures should be kept clean to reduce the intensity of mosquitoes.
Third, if you get the primary symptoms of Encephalitis B such as high fever, headache and vomiting, etc., seek doctor’s help at once to avoid missing the best time for treatment.