Latest news with #EncephalitisInternational
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Weston-super-Mare woman finishes dead granddaughter's novel
A woman has completed her granddaughter's unfinished novel after the teenager's sudden Raine King, from Bristol, passed away in 2018 at the age of 19 due to complications from encephalitis, a rare autoimmune brain condition. According to her grandmother, Lorraine Martin, Allana had completed 90% of her novel before her Martin, from Weston-super-Mare, north Somerset, said it was a daunting task as she had no prior writing experience. But seeing it published feels like her granddaughter's dream has finally come trueIt is now on sale at Bristol's Waterstones. "By the time she was a teenager, Allana was rarely without a notebook, recording her feelings and daily experiences," Ms Martin said."Allana was joyful, compassionate, and wise beyond her years. She had this incredible ability to connect with the emotions of others."The book, Land of the Free, follows a young man called Rocky in a dystopian world, where technology has taken Martin told the BBC her task of finishing the novel was made easier by extensive notes, left by Allana."I felt like I was lost at sea initially," Ms Martin said."One day I came to the realisation that I've got to make an attempt to do this."And the story line was captivating so I got engrossed into it and it kept going from where Allana had arrived in the story."I found myself in a zone and the words and the storyline just seemed to happen spontaneously."At the time of her death, Allana was set to head to university to study creative Martin always dreamed walking past Waterstone's and seeing Allana's book there."To have that dream, it was like my dream for her [has] come true."Half of all the proceeds made will go towards Encephalitis International, which supports the 4,000 people diagnosed with the condition in the UK each year.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Global campaign on prevention of encephalitis launched
UK-based Encephalitis International on Tuesday launched a global campaign titled 'Preventing Future Encephalitis: Climate Change and Infectious Disease' to promote the importance of vaccination against the rising threat of encephalitis and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Climate change and encephalitis risk Encephalitis is inflammation of the active tissues of the brain caused by an infection or an autoimmune response. In a release issued on Tuesday, Encephalitis International said the campaign aims to raise awareness about how climate change was exacerbating the risk of encephalitis in India and globally. The UK-based health charity organisation said the warming planet was creating conditions favourable to the spread of infections that can lead to encephalitis. Encephalitis affects over 1.5 million people globally each year - about three people every minute. Yet, nearly 77 per cent of the population remains unaware of the condition, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment, the release said. "As the earth warms, new and emerging infections, including those that cause Encephalitis, will continue to rise. The vectors that can spread infectious diseases like mosquitoes and ticks are moving to new communities and environments," said Ava Easton, chief executive of Encephalitis International. Easton added that changing human and animal interactions and the movement of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes into new areas are compounding the risk. India among high-burden countries Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, meningitis and encephalitis, are increasing globally, whereas diseases like diphtheria, once well-controlled, are also at risk of re-emerging. "Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades," the release quoted World Health Organization (WHO)'s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk and exposing countries to increased treatment costs," he said. Vaccination drive is vital India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), one of the world's largest, targets 27 million infants and 30 million pregnant women annually. It provides free vaccination against 12 diseases, including Japanese Encephalitis in endemic areas, the release said. India reported 1,548 cases of Japanese encephalitis from 24 states and union territories in 2024, underscoring the scale of the challenge. Encephalitis International is hosting a global webinar on April 29 to explore the link between climate change and the rising burden of encephalitis, as well as strategies to boost vaccine coverage, especially in rural areas. "A vaccinated world is a safer world - each shot is a step towards freedom from preventable diseases," Netravathi M, professor, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, said, highlighting the long-term benefits of vaccination.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Global campaign on prevention of encephalitis launched
Mumbai: UK-based Encephalitis International on Tuesday launched a global campaign titled 'Preventing Future Encephalitis: Climate Change and Infectious Disease' to promote the importance of vaccination against the rising threat of encephalitis and other vaccine-preventable diseases . Encephalitis is inflammation of the active tissues of the brain caused by an infection or an autoimmune response. In a release issued on Tuesday, Encephalitis International said the campaign aims to raise awareness about how climate change was exacerbating the risk of encephalitis in India and globally. The UK-based health charity organisation said the warming planet was creating conditions favourable to the spread of infections that can lead to encephalitis. Encephalitis affects over 1.5 million people globally each year - about three people every minute. Yet, nearly 77 per cent of the population remains unaware of the condition, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment, the release said. "As the earth warms, new and emerging infections, including those that cause Encephalitis, will continue to rise. The vectors that can spread infectious diseases like mosquitoes and ticks are moving to new communities and environments," said Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of Encephalitis International. Easton added that changing human and animal interactions and the movement of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes into new areas are compounding the risk. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, meningitis and encephalitis, are increasing globally, whereas diseases like diphtheria, once well-controlled, are also at risk of re-emerging. "Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades," the release quoted World Health Organization (WHO)'s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk and exposing countries to increased treatment costs," he said. India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), one of the world's largest, targets 27 million infants and 30 million pregnant women annually. It provides free vaccination against 12 diseases, including Japanese Encephalitis in endemic areas, the release said. India reported 1,548 cases of Japanese encephalitis from 24 states and union territories in 2024, underscoring the scale of the challenge. Encephalitis International is hosting a global webinar on April 29 to explore the link between climate change and the rising burden of encephalitis, as well as strategies to boost vaccine coverage, especially in rural areas. "A vaccinated world is a safer world - each shot is a step towards freedom from preventable diseases," Dr Netravathi M, a professor at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, said, highlighting the long-term benefits of vaccination.
