Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh

• 21 Aug 2024

Why in News?

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), eight people have died after Japanese Encephalitis (JE) infection in Madhya Pradesh since 2019.

Key Points

• Due to the rise in JE cases in Madhya Pradesh the situation is being closely observed as it poses a direct risk to public well-being. 
  • Earlier in 2024, Japanese Encephalitis was identified in 29 districts of Madhya Pradesh. 

Japanese Encephalitis

• About:
  • Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection that can cause inflammation in the brain.
    • It is caused by a flavivirus that belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.
  • Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is also a major cause of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in India.
• Transmission:
  • The disease is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culex species.
  • These mosquitoes breed mainly in rice fields and large water bodies rich in aquatic vegetation.
• Treatment:
  • There is no antiviral treatment for patients with JE.
    • Treatment, available, is supportive to relieve symptoms and stabilise the patient.
• Prevention:
  • Safe and effective JE vaccines are available to prevent the disease.
  • JE vaccination is also included under the Universal Immunisation Program of the Government of India.