Japanese encephalitis (JE) (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) is acute inflammation of brain caused by the mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The incidence of JE is approximately 1 million cases per year in India. There is no cure for JE and only 20 % of patients make a full recovery. Owing to recent Gorakhpur tragedy resulting in hundreds of children falling victims to JE, a need to address this topic was perceived. This article discusses the guidelines for clinical management and prevention of Japanese encephalitis.
JE occurs in a large number of countries/area of Asia. It is a disease of public health importance because of its epidemic potential and high case fatality rate. The highly affected states include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Outbreaks of JE usually coincide with monsoons and post-monsoon period…
