What Is The Japanese Encephalitis Virus? First Case Confirmed In Delhi

The capital of India, Delhi reported a single case of Japanese Encephalitis, news agency PTI reported citing official sources on Thursday. The sources confirmed that public health measures have been implemented following the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) guidelines, with no cause for concern.

What Is The Japanese Encephalitis Virus? 

According to Dr Vibhu Kawatra, pulmonologist and allergy specialist, "Humans are incidental hosts, meaning they don’t play a major role in the spread of the virus. The virus typically affects people living or travelling in rural areas where mosquitoes breed in rice paddies, swamps, or other stagnant water bodies." The disease has a high case fatality rate, and survivors often experience long-term neurological complications to varying degrees.

Brief About The Patient

A 72-year-old man from West Delhi was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on November 3 due to chest pain. The patient had a medical history of diabetes,  coronary artery disease, bilateral lower limb weakness, and bowel and bladder incontinence. On November 6, after a blood sample was taken, the man tested positive for Japanese Encephalitis. He was discharged from the hospital on November 15.

What are the next steps?

The MCD reported that it has started stringent containment measures. It has directed "all the DHOs and epidemiologists to intensify vector control measures including larval source reduction and community-based initiatives including awareness campaigns for prevention and control of JE".

"The high risk among kids is due to lack of immunity," Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.

The experts called for JE vaccination in two doses for children and for preventing mosquito bites using bed nets, mosquito repellent, etc. They also urged people to keep the surroundings clean to stop the breeding of mosquitoes; and to consult a doctor in case of unexplained fever with headache. 

According to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, cited by PTI, 1,548 cases of Japanese Encephalitis were reported across 24 states and union territories in 2024, with Assam accounting for 925 of these cases.

We urge our readers to follow the preventive measures and monitor the symptoms. Most importantly, do not fret in reaching out to doctors.