Latest Encephalitis News: West Bengal police organise encephalitis awareness campaign

Police in association with health department organised a campaign to spread awareness about Japanese Encephalitis among people in disease-hit West Bengal. Outbreaks of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and

By: Editorial Team | | Published: August 6, 2014 12:04 pm

Police in association with health department organised a campaign to spread awareness about Japanese Encephalitis among people in disease-hit West Bengal. Outbreaks of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and Japanese Encephalitis are common every year in India, especially during the monsoon season, and claim hundreds of lives. But this year, major outbreaks -usually most prevalent in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -have spread to regions such as West Bengal and Assam further east and north-killing 568 people.

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a disease that results in inflammation of the brain. The patient’s central nervous system is affected. While the lesser symptoms include headaches and fevers, the more severe ones cause the onset of mental issues like seizures, confusion, disorientation, tremors and hallucinations. It can be caused due to bacterial or viral infections of the brain, injection of toxic substances or increased complications of an infectious disease.

What are risk factors of encephalitis?

Dr Abhijit Das, Director of Neurorehabilitation Program and consultant Neurologist, Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata says, ‘Anybody can suffer from encephalitis, from children to elderly.’ However, the risk is greater during the first few years of life. Additionally, people with a compromised immune system and those who have increased level of autoantibodies in them are at a greater risk.

Diagnosis of encephalitis

Emergency symptoms form the basis of suspecting encephalitis. But to diagnose its root cause, different tests might be needed. ‘Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical examination with the help of brain scans mainly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also need electroencephalogram (EEG) along with the study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained through a lumbar puncture,’ says Dr Das. Read more about Encephalitis – types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

With inputs from ANI

Photos source: Getty images

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Published : August 6, 2014 12:04 pm

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