Just as the national capital is battling against air pollution, another fear has come to the fore. The national capital has reported an “isolated” case of Japanese Encephalitis.
The case has been identified as a 72-year-old man from west Delhi who was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on November 3 following chest pain. The patient was diabetic, had coronary artery disease, bilateral lower limb weakness and bowel and bladder incontinence, an official source told news agency PTI.
He was discharged on November 15.
Japanese Encephalitis is a viral infection caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, especially by the Culex species. It affects the brain, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, and neurological signs such as confusion, seizures, and paralysis.
The disease is most common in rural areas of Asia, particularly during monsoon seasons when mosquito breeding is prevalent. According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme data, in 2024, 1,548 Japanese Encephalitis cases were reported from 24 states and Union Territories, with 925 cases from Assam alone.
While many infected individuals may show mild or no symptoms, severe cases can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy, particularly in endemic regions. Early diagnosis and supportive treatment can help manage symptoms, but there is no specific antiviral treatment for JE. The central government guidelines, two doses of the vaccine have been a part of the Universal Immunisation Programme since 2013. Adult Japanese Encephalitis vaccine has been introduced in high-burden states, sources said.
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All public health measures have been instituted as per the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) guidelines, the sources said, adding there was no cause for concern.
There is no specific treatment for Japanese Encephalitis and there is no human-to-human transmission of the virus, the source said.
