Japanese encephalitis causes death of 24-year-old traveler in France

A 24-year-old woman named Inès died on August 1 at a university hospital in Nice, France, after contracting Japanese encephalitis during a trip to Asia. The viral infection, which is transmitted through mosquito bites in rural areas, is a serious brain infection that currently has no curative treatment.

Inès received medical care in Bangkok for several weeks before being repatriated to France in a state of brain death. Her parents are sharing her story via social media to raise awareness about the disease, noting that many young travelers visiting countries such as Cambodia and Thailand may be unaware of the risks and necessary protection methods.