Protect Your Brain and Body Health While Exploring the World

By Praveen Prathapan, Senior Medical Writer at Encephalitis International

Are you planning a trip abroad? Before you quench that wanderlust, let’s talk travel health! An often-overlooked aspect of travel health is the risk of "encephalitis," an inflammation of the brain—not only the risk of acquiring it but also the risks of having your life shattered by the devastating consequences of this condition, such as death or severe disability.

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While encephalitis can happen to anyone anywhere in the world, certain regions and travel activities can increase your chances of exposure to the bugs that can trigger this illness.

Importantly, in recent years, there has been an increase in the spread of encephalitis worldwide. This is generally because higher global temperatures have increased the number of suitable habitats for insects that carry encephalitis-causing viruses.

Here’s a little cheat sheet on some of the more common types of encephalitis for which there are prevention measures, including vaccination.

Japanese encephalitis

Trekking through Asia and the Western Pacific is certainly one for the bucket list! However, there is a troublemaker all intrepid travelers must be made aware of: the Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus. This pathogen is spread through the bites of one of the world's deadliest critters—the mosquito.

When it comes to JE, the vaccine is your best friend. To avoid infection, try to also take preventive measures, such as reducing time spent outdoors in rural areas and traveling during times of the year when mosquitoes are less common, like in the winter. Avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers, and use insect sprays containing at least 30 percent DEET. Sleeping under bed nets is also a good idea, as is sleeping in rooms with air-conditioning!

Tick-borne encephalitis

The enchanting woodlands and forests of Europe, Siberia, Far-Eastern Russia, northern China, and Japan hold a hidden risk: the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. This can be transmitted through the bite of ticks or even by consuming infected, unpasteurized dairy products.

Thriving in woodland habitats, such as forests and grasslands, tick populations increase in wet summers and mild winters. In central Europe, two peaks of tick activity have been observed in April-May and in September-October. Be careful—the incidence of TBE in Europe has been increasing, even in countries like the UK. And remember: A single tick bite can be lethal.

Thankfully, there is also a vaccine for this. Have a chat with your primary care practitioner or travel clinic to see whether this is recommended. Also, try as much as possible to stay away from wooded areas. If you can’t avoid these areas, wear protective clothing, use an insect repellent that is effective against ticks, and inspect your skin for ticks regularly. The attached ticks need to be removed right away by using tweezers as close to the skin attachment as possible through steadily pulling upward without jerking or twisting.

Rabies

We love animals, but travelers need to be careful. Rabies is an infamous condition caused by a virus carried in the saliva of infected animals—commonly dogs, cats, bats, and monkeys. You can catch it if you are bitten or scratched—or if you are licked on an open wound or the mouth and eyes. Two-thirds of people infected with the rabies virus progress to encephalitic rabies (furious rabies), which is as scary as it sounds.

Rabies is found throughout the world but more commonly in developing countries where fewer animals are vaccinated. There is no treatment for rabies, and almost all cases are fatal

What’s the golden rule? Keep your distance from animals, especially stray dogs and cats. If you get bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention immediately, as rabies can be effectively prevented after a bite through post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Thankfully, there is also a vaccine, which is recommended for those thought to be at increased risk of exposure to infected animals: e.g., those working with animals or spending long periods in a country with well-known rabies risk.

General tips

1. Get informed about requirements for your travel destination well in advance so you can prepare ahead, especially since some vaccinations require more than one dose.
2. In order to prepare for any trip and any vaccination, remember to ask not just about the likelihood of getting a condition but also the severity were you to be infected.
3. Practice good hygiene, take preventive measures, and keep your distance from animals.
4. Seek medical attention immediately if needed.

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Why not read a first-hand account of someone’s experience of Japanese encephalitis during their travels? For example, Chelsea was diagnosed with encephalitis whilst traveling in Thailand.

Overall, by staying informed and taking preventative measures, you can reduce your risk of developing encephalitis and other travel-related disease. Safe travels!