Outbreaks and Sporadic Cases of Japanese Encephalitis in the State of Odisha, India: Outcome of 7 Years of Laboratory Surveillance

Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major public health challenge in India. We report here the epidemiology of sporadics and outbreaks of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Odisha state during 2012–2018. A total of 4235 AES cases (sporadics – 3394, outbreak cases – 841) recorded including 42 outbreaks; majority (n = 18) of which were during 2016. Overall JE virus (JEV) positivity was 11.78% (outbreak cases – 24.5%, sporadic cases – 8.6%). Age ≤15 years were largely affected during outbreaks, while 16–60 years population was dominant among sporadics. The major outbreak (2016) involved 336 patients from a tribal dominated district, spread over 173 villages. JEV seropositivity was high (43.45%) with 28.57% mortality. Epidemiological linkage with pig rearing was documented through JEV neutralizing antibodies in 50% of pig serum samples. Although the postvaccination period (2017–18) showed increase in AES case reporting but low JE proportion. Ongoing surveillance and preparedness of the health system would be of importance, especially in tribal‑dominated districts.

Keywords

Acute encephalitis syndrome, Japanese encephalitis, Odisha, tribal

Citation

Sabat J, Bhattacharya D, Subhadra S, Gurav YK, Pati SS, Dwibedi B.. Outbreaks and Sporadic Cases of Japanese Encephalitis in the State of Odisha, India: Outcome of 7 Years of Laboratory Surveillance. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2023 Jun; 67(2): 324-327

URI

https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/223935

Collections

Indian Journal of Public Health

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