Diseases and vaccines

Japanese encephalitis films

Kill or cure? Vaccine of Hope

Travel back to rural India for a follow-up to the “Kill or Cure?” 2005 documentary, which chronicled one of the country’s worst outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis. Determined to act before the next year’s high-risk monsoon season, the Government of India responded with an ambitious immunization campaign to protect millions of vulnerable children.

For nearly 20 years, a safe, affordable, and effective vaccine has been given to China’s children, but would it be the answer for India? Filmed in the districts hardest hit by last year’s outbreak, “Vaccine of Hope” reveals how international partnerships were forged with unprecedented speed to bring the vaccine to Indian communities at highest risk.

Produced by Rockhopper for the BBC World “Kill or Cure?” series, “Vaccine of Hope” originally aired in August 2006.

Kill or cure? Japanese encephalitis

The JE virus kills more than 10,000 children in Asia and the Pacific every year, and one-third of those who survive are left with severe neurological disabilities.

Follow JE Project Director Dr. Julie Jacobson as she travels through Southeast Asia to witness first-hand the devastating toll of JE, as well as the tireless efforts of many partners dedicated to making a JE vaccine widely available. The film provides a glimpse of the serious Indian outbreak in 2005, along with innovative diagnostic work in Malaysia, and explains why vaccination is the only effective way to control the disease.

Produced by UK film production company Rockhopper TV, with technical support from PATH, the film originally aired on BBC World in November 2005 and was seen by more than 100 million viewers. The film is 24 minutes long, and the files require Windows Media Player 9 to view. To request a DVD copy, contact jeproject@path.org.

"Kill or cure? Japanese encephalitis" video

Shadow lives—The human toll of Japanese encephalitis

Children who survive JE infection must come to grips with the human and socioeconomic consequences of the disease. Produced in collaboration with the JE Project, Shadow Lives—The Human Toll of Japanese Encephalitis, introduces us to families who have been touched by JE and how they must cope with the lingering effects of the disease.

Directed by Mahesh Nair, Shadow Lives was filmed entirely on location in India. It takes us into the world of Mahesh, Somanna, and Shekaramma—three children forced to live with varying degrees of disability as a result of JE.

The film is 7 minutes long and requires Windows Media Player 9 to view. To request a DVD copy, contact jeproject@path.org.

"Shadow Lives—The Human Toll of Japanese Encephalitis" video