Epidemiology and burden of disease from Japanese encephalitis in Cambodia: results from two years of sentinel surveillance.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Touch
Sok
S
Communicable Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Hills
Susan
S
Sokhal
Buth
B
Samnang
Chham
C
Sovann
Ly
L
Khieu
Virak
V
Soeung
Sann Chan
SC
Toda
Kohei
K
Robinson
Jaimie
J
Grundy
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004672:Encephalitis, Japanese / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D015994:Incidence; D022321:Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D012621:Seasons; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D022321:Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines