Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)

Aspect

Details

About

AES is a severe encephalitis case, primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by high fever and brain inflammation.

The term was coined by WHO in 2006 to describe a group of similar diseases hard to differentiate during outbreaks.

Types

Viral encephalitis: This is the most common form of encephalitis. You can develop viral encephalitis after having certain infectious diseases or viruses.

Arbovirus encephalitis: Mosquitos, fleas and ticks can spread infections that can become encephalitis.

Bacterial or fungal encephalitis: Encephalitis from bacterial or fungal infections is the least common type of the condition.

Causative Agents

Viruses are the primary cause, with Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) being the most common in India (5%-35%).

Other agents include Herpes simplex, Nipah, Zika, Influenza A, West Nile, Chandipura viruses, and pathogens like mumps, measles, dengue, scrub typhus, S. pneumoniae. AES is not vaccine-preventable.

Symptoms

Confusion, disorientation, coma, inability to talk, high fever, vomiting, nausea, unconsciousness.

Diagnosis

AES/JE diagnosis via IgM Antibody Capture ELISA and virus isolation at National Reference Laboratories.

Nationwide surveillance by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) focuses on detecting JEV.

Status in India (2018)

10,485 cases and 632 deaths across 17 states.

Fatality rate: 6% overall; 25% among children.

Worst-affected states: Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Tripura.

Government Initiatives

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare: JE vaccination, public health activities, clinical management of JE/AES cases.

Ministry of Jal Shakti: Safe water supply.

Ministry of Women & Child Development: High-quality nutrition for vulnerable children.

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: Disability management & rehabilitation.

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs: Safe water in slums/towns.

Ministry of Education: Special facilities for disabled children.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), consider the following statements:

1. It is caused by a bacterial infection in the brain, leading to inflammation and neurological symptoms.
2. The most common vector associated with the transmission of AES in India is the Culex mosquito.

Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

AES can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses (like Japanese Encephalitis), bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Viral infections are the most common cause of AES, not bacterial infections alone.