A comparison of clinical manifestations of Japanese encephalitis between children and adults in Gansu Province, Northwest China (2005–2020)

•Japanese encephalitis frequently occurs in areas with adequate precipitation, however, two outbreaks of JE in 2017 and 2018, with an incidence of 1.93 in 100,000 people in 2018 in Gansu Province, which is located in Northwest China having an arid and semi-arid climate.•Differences in clinical manifestations (clinical symptoms, clinical signs, and complications) are seen between children and adults.•Little differences in clinical manifestations are seen between children with and without Japanese encephalitis vaccination history.•Differences in disease severity are seen between children and adults.•Differences in disease severity are seen between patients with and without Japanese encephalitis vaccination history.