14 children die of suspected ‘Acute Encephalitis Syndrome’:Doctor explains the causes of this disease and which group is at great risk of getting infected

In the past month, a worrying situation has emerged in the Nagpur area of Maharashtra and Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. Sadly, at least 14 children under 15 have died after being hospitalised. Doctors believe these cases might be ‘Acute Encephalitis Syndrome’ (AES). AES is a term used when the brain suddenly swells or stops working properly, but the exact cause isn’t known right away. Doctors in both areas report that the children arrived at the hospital with very high fevers. Unfortunately, many of them quickly got worse, with some losing consciousness within a day of being admitted. To understand the cause of this tragic situation, the National Institute of Virology (Pune) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have dispatched teams to investigate. Importantly, some recent cases are now being classified as acute encephalopathy instead of encephalitis. While encephalitis typically points to a viral infection causing brain inflammation, encephalopathy can stem from toxins, poisoning, or environmental factors. This distinction is crucial for identifying the root cause and implementing appropriate treatment strategies. So, let’s talk about this new disease, its causes and how to be safe from this disease. Dr. Apuroopa Jannabhatla, Consultant – Neurologist, Bangalore has explained the disease, its symptoms and prevention. According to a research published in the National Center for Vector Borne Disease Control, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome is a group of similar neurologic symptoms caused by several different viruses, bacteria, fungus, parasites, toxins etc. What is Encephalitis and how it is caused? Encephalitis means inflammation of the brain. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, or by immune cells that attack the brain. Viruses that can lead to encephalitis can be spread by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. When inflammation comes through infection in the brain, it’s known as ‘Infectious Encephalitis.’ And when it’s due to immune system attack on the brain, it’s known as ‘Autoimmune Encephalitis.’ While there is also possibility that sometimes there is no known cause of it. “Acute Encephalitis” is a disease which is cause by several conditions and one of the main causes of it in India is “Japanese Encephalitis” (JE). It is a viral disease that spreads from animals to humans through mosquito bites. Causes of Acute Encephalitis Symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome When to consult a doctor? If you have encephalitis, it’s important to get medical help quickly, especially if you have serious symptoms. Adults: See a doctor right away if you have a really bad headache, a fever, or if you’re confused or less alert than usual. Babies and young kids: Any signs of encephalitis need urgent medical attention, especially high fever. Health experts advise to consult the doctor immediatel, as early detection and treatment is the only way to get rid of this disease and save life. Who are at greater risk of this infection? How to prevent Acute Encephalitis Syndrome? Since this illness is very serious and hard to treat, it’s important to prevent it, even though it doesn’t happen very often. Here’s to keep few things to care of-