Encephalitis is a serious brain problem that causes millions of deaths every year. The condition of encephalitis disease increases inflammation in the brain. Globally, it is estimated that about 25,000 people die every year due to encephalitis. This problem can be caused by viral or bacterial infections.

In recent years, many efforts have been made to reduce the risks of encephalitis in the country, which has also seen good results. As an important achievement, the mortality rate due to encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh has reduced significantly.

According to government data, in the year 2018, 149 people died due to this disease in Uttar Pradesh, while in 2024, not a single death case was registered in the state. Apart from this, a significant decrease was also seen in the reported cases. This achievement is particularly significant as the state faced an epidemic of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in 2005, which affected over 6,000 children and caused over 1,400 deaths.

What is encephalitis?

While encephalitis is usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, in some cases inflammation can also occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks brain cells. Mosquito-borne diseases also put some people at risk of developing encephalitis.

When inflammation in the brain occurs due to infection, it is called infectious encephalitis, while when it is due to the immune system attacking the brain, it is known as autoimmune encephalitis.

Infection also spreads due to these viruses.

During July-August 2024, the risk of encephalitis was seen in some people due to the Chandipura virus infection that spread in the country. This infection, which begins with fever and flu-like symptoms, causes the risk of encephalitis in children. In severe cases, it also poses a risk of coma and even death.

At the same time, due to the Camp Hill virus infection that spread in many places in February this year, people were also alerted about the risks of encephalitis.

Know about these symptoms of encephalitis.

Health experts say that encephalitis can cause headaches, stiffness in the neck, fainting, irritability, decreased ability to speak, hear, and understand along with a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes epileptic seizures can also occur due to this disease. Apart from this, its symptoms also depend on which part of the brain is swollen. If the memory area gets swollen, the memory can weaken. Swelling in the cranial nerve area of ​​the face can cause crookedness in the mouth or eyes.

What should be done if encephalitis occurs?

Health experts say that anti-viral or anti-bacterial medicines are given if encephalitis occurs due to a specific virus or bacteria. Hospitalization is required to reduce brain swelling and other complications caused by it.

The disease also spreads through mosquito bites, so wear full-sleeved clothes to avoid it. Do not let mosquitoes breed. You can get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever virus.

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