Japanese encephalitis is a tropical disease.
It is more commonly seen in South Asia and in recent years, it has spread widely to South East Asia, and outbreaks of considerable magnitude have occurred in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam. Japanese Encephalitis affects younger children. The disease carries a high morbidity and mortality. An estimated 43,000 cases of JE occur globally each year, with 11,000 deaths and nearly 9000 disabled. In 1995, about 2000 cases of JE were reported.