Japanese encephalitis in India: an overview

Japanese encephalitis (JE)-epidemics have been reported in many parts of the country. The incidence has been reported to be high among pediatric group with high mortality. The incidence of JE in recent times is showing an increasing trend. It appears that JE may become one of the major public health problems in India, considering the quantum of the vulnerable pediatric population, the proportion of JEV infections among the encephalitic children and wide scattering of JE-prone areas. JE burden can be estimated satisfactorily to some extend by strengthening diagnostic facilities for JE confirmation in hospitals and by maintenance of contact with the nearby referral hospitals to collect the particulars on JE cases. Vaccination proves to be the best to protect the individual against any disease. In the case of JE, it is essential to immunize the pigs (amplifying host) also to interrupt the transmission of the disease.