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. 2017 Feb 8;96(2):382-388.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0330. Epub 2016 Nov 7.

Epidemiological Features of Japanese Encephalitis in Taiwan from 2000 to 2014

Yu-Kang Chang  1 , Hsiao-Ling Chang  2   3 , Ho-Sheng Wu  4   5 , Kow-Tong Chen  6   7
Affiliations

Epidemiological Features of Japanese Encephalitis in Taiwan from 2000 to 2014

Yu-Kang Chang et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

Abstract

The incidence of Japanese encephalitis (JE) decreased sharply after the national vaccination program was implemented in Taiwan in 1968. However, cases of JE still occur. The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology and vaccination policy for JE in Taiwan. We analyzed the data on JE cases reported to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) between 2000 and 2014. During the 15-year study period, a total of 4,474 cases were reported to the Taiwan CDC. Of these, 379 (8.5%) were classified as confirmed cases, and 4,095 (91.5%) were classified as suspected cases. The incidence of JE ranged from 0.59 to 1.61 per 1,000,000 people and peaked in 2007. Men had a higher incidence of JE than women (1.37 versus 0.84 per 1,000,000; P = 0.03). Patients who were 40-59 years of age had a higher incidence than did patients younger than 20 years (1.82 versus 0.23; P < 0.001). Patients who lived in the eastern region of Taiwan had the highest incidence rate of JE (P < 0.001). Compared with those who were not vaccinated with the JE vaccine, patients who received four doses of JE vaccine had a lower risk of suffering from death and/or hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.08-0.90; P = 0.04). JE is still a public health problem in Taiwan, and monitoring JE via diagnostic testing to determine the best vaccination program along with enforcing JE vaccine boosters for adults is necessary to eliminate JE in Taiwan.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of suspected and confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan by quarter, 2000–2014.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Incidence of confirmed Japanese encephalitis among patients in Taiwan according to (A) sex, (B) age, and (C) region by year from 2000 to 2014.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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