An overview of Encephalitis and 'World Encephalitis Day 2021' in Nepal

“World Encephalitis Day” is held on 22nd February each year. Encephalitis is a severe brain disease defined as an inflammation of the brain tissues. The most common cause is viral infections. In rare cases it can be caused by bacteria or even fungi .

Japanese encephalitis(JE) virus is the the most important cause of encephalitis in Nepal . JE s a mosquito-born flavivirus infection and vaccine preventable disease and is emerging as a major public health problem in Nepal. Since the first epidemic in 1978, up to 2017 a total of 34,538 JE cases were reported of which 5,879 cases were fatal. More than 63% JE cases were confined to the age group 1-15 years with an case fatality rate 17%. Among JE survivors 30–50% develops long-term neurological disabilities. Based on the evidence, around 8,000 to 14,000 JE survivors so far are estimated having been left with a life long physical and neurological disabilities in Nepal . In order to protect from this fatal disease ,we can reduce our risk by getting JE vaccination and taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites.