Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Buddharaksa Moral Community: Surveillance, Vectors and Localized Preventive Care

This article presents knowledge and practical approaches regarding Japanese Encephalitis (JE) within the framework of the Buddharaksa Moral Community. It explores the historical emergence and epidemiological spread of the disease, with emphasis on its primary vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, which thrives in rice paddies and pig farms. The article differentiates this vector from Aedes aegypti and Anopheles spp. to prevent common misconceptions. Key topics include the role of vaccines integrated into Thailand’s Expanded Program on Immunization, supportive care measures, rehabilitation processes and long-term sequelae such as paralysis, epilepsy and intellectual disability. Community-based prevention strategies are highlighted, including full vaccination coverage for children, elimination of mosquito breeding sites, safe pig farming practices, educational campaigns and home visits for disabled survivors. Ultimately, JE is not merely an acute infectious disease but a condition that leaves “social scars” and “moral responsibilities” within communities, necessitating vigilant surveillance and collective preventive action.