Context:
Assam has reported seven deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and several deaths due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in 2026. Health authorities have clarified that JE is one of the causes of AES, but not all AES cases are caused by JE.
Explanation:
- Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is a clinical condition characterized by acute onset of fever with altered mental status, seizures, or neurological complications.
- Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) and is one of the major causes of AES in India.
- JEV belongs to the Flavivirus group, which also includes dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses.
- The disease is transmitted through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes, making it a vector-borne disease.
- Pigs act as amplifying hosts and water birds serve as reservoir hosts; humans are considered dead-end hosts.
- JE outbreaks are common during the monsoon and post-monsoon season, especially in rice-growing and waterlogged regions.
- Symptoms include high fever, headache, seizures, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), paralysis, and neurological damage.
- Prevention relies on JE vaccination, vector control, surveillance, sanitation, and public health awareness.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040