World Cup rugby fans warned over japan virus

WELSH rugby fans travelling to the World Cup in Japan have been urged to take precautions against a deadly virus that kills one in three of those who contract it.

Japanese encephalitis is an incurable brain infection that is carried by mosquitoes and kills almost 20,000 people each year.

While the chances of infection are rare, the Encephalitis Society is urging rugby supporters to consider getting vaccinated in order to avoid contracting the bug.

Former England star John Bentley, a Test series winner with the 1997 Lions in South Africa, is among the campaigners raising awareness about the disease.

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, an often devastating condition that can lead to death and “acquired brain injury”.

The virus is most common in rural areas in south-east Asia, the Pacific islands and the Far East.

More than 600,000 of the 1.8m available tickets for the World Cup are expected to be held by overseas visitors to Japan.

Such mass gatherings can put a huge strain on host countries, and the World Health Organisation and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention have advised all those planning to travel to seek specialist health advice first.

“Supporters won’t just take in the rugby, they’ll take in all aspects of the country and embrace the culture, and perhaps travel into areas where they could be vulnerable,” warned Bentley.

Dr Robert Annewandter, a fulltime carer of a Japanese encephalitis survivor, is also working with the society to raise awareness of the condition.

His partner, Sophie Williams, 35, contracted Japanese encephalitis four years ago, while researching the illegal trade in orchids in Bangkok.