Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak, India, 2005

Manmohan Parida1, Paban K Dash, Nagesh K Tripathi

  • 1Division of Virology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India. paridamm@rediffmail.com

Insights

An outbreak of viral encephalitis in India was caused by Japanese encephalitis virus. Analysis of clinical samples confirmed the virus and identified its genetic lineage.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Viral encephalitis poses a significant public health threat.
  • Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the etiologic agent of a viral encephalitis outbreak in Gorakhpur, India.
  • To characterize the genetic features of the causative JEV isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 326 acute-phase clinical specimens.
  • Detection of virus-specific antibodies and viral RNA.
  • Virus isolation and phylogenetic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Japanese encephalitis virus was confirmed as the causative agent.
  • Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolates within genogroup 3.
  • The outbreak occurred between July and November 2005.

Conclusions:

  • JEV was responsible for the 2005 Gorakhpur encephalitis outbreak.
  • Genogroup 3 viruses were circulating in the region.
  • Further surveillance and control measures for JEV are warranted.

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