Epidemiology of Japanese Encephalitis in Central India after Implementing Immunization

The goal of a recent study was to present the epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis (JE) following the introduction of routine immunization in moderately endemic districts in Maharashtra and Telangana, Central India.

This research includedacute encephalitis syndrome (AES) patients hospitalized from between 2018 and September 2020. Additionally, field visits were conducted to the homes of 262 AES cases, including 54 JE cases.

The results showed that the overall case fatality ratio was 31%. Maharashtra accounted for 72% of JE and 67% of AES cases. Notably, rural areas had a significantly higher number of JE cases compared to urban areas. Further, JE cases occurred throughout the year, with a peak during the rainy season. Both AES and JE predominantly affected children, with 66% of JE cases and 70% of non-JE AES cases occurring in this group.

In inference, despite routine immunization, JE continues to impact the population. Enhanced surveillance, prevention, and control measures are needed to achieve accelerated diseasecontrol.

Source: Tandale BV, Khude PM, Deshmukh PS, et al. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2024 Apr 24.