India marks progress in encephalitis battle but experts warn of awareness gap

One year since the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued its first technical brief on encephalitis, India finds itself at a critical crossroads. While the nation has made significant strides in clinical care and immunisation, medical experts warn that the window for saving lives remains narrow due to a lack of public awareness. Marking World Encephalitis Day 2026, the global charity Encephalitis International has issued an urgent plea for better recognition of the condition.

Encephalitis — a swelling of the brain that can strike anyone regardless of age-frequently starts with deceptive, flu-like symptoms. National data reveals a significant drop in mortality for Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), falling from 12.3 per cent in 2015 to 3.9 per cent in 2022. In Uttar Pradesh, once the epicentre of the crisis, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases have steadily declined.

However, the nature of the threat is changing. Recent studies from Northern India show that “classic” JE is no longer the sole culprit. Scrub typhus and the Chikungunya virus have emerged as leading causes of brain inflammation. Furthermore, a worrying trend shows JE cases shifting from children to adults, suggesting that immunity gaps persist in the older population.

Despite these clinical gains, the human element remains a concern. Roughly 80 per cent of people globally still cannot define encephalitis. This ignorance leads to fatal delays. “The WHO brief moved this condition out of the shadows,” says Ava Easton, Chief Executive of Encephalitis International. “In India, we see better survival rates, but progress is patchy. Too many people suffer permanent disability because the signs were missed.”

To combat this, the ‘Brain in FLAMES’ campaign has been launched to help the public identify emergencies: Flu-like symptoms, Loss of consciousness, Acute headache, Memory problems, Emotional or behavioural changes, and Seizures. On February 22nd, landmarks across the globe will light up in red.  Supporters in India are encouraged to wear red and share these red flags early to prevent avoidable tragedy. In a race against brain swelling, every second counts.