Comparative epidemiological features of Japanese encephalitis in the Republic of Korea, China (Taiwan) and Japan

The epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis in the Republic of Korea from 1949 to 1966 is described and comparisons are made with the situations in Japan and China (Taiwan). Some similarities and some differences are noted. Recent epidemics in Korea coincided with those in southern Japan but the annual fluctuations were more distinct in Korea. The disease mainly affected children in Korea and, in contrast to the situation in Japan, persons in the older age-groups were rarely affected. The authors also discuss the geographical pathology of Japanese encephalitis in Korea.