Epidemiology of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in India: Changing Paradigm and Implication for Control

The burden of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and its potential implication on human health cannot be overemphasized. Conceptualization of its changing epidemiology particularly in the context of its varied aetiology, introduction of new genotype of Japanese encephalitis (JE), expansion to newer areas, occurrence of JE cases in older population, trend of occurrence of JE following mass vaccination campaign, clinical spectrum of the disease, trend in case fatality rate, socio- economic context, seasonality and environmental factors and associated risk factors like under- nutrition in children have been dealt with. Based on the current understanding, the review highlights its implication in addressing strategies for prevention and control of AES in India.