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The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Rise in Japanese encephalitis cases prompts T.N. to expand vaccination coverage
The Directorate of Public Health's decision to increase vaccination coverage for Japanese encephalitis (JE) to five more districts, apart from the existing ones, follows close on the heels of the findings of a study done by Christian Medical College, Vellore. The study found that between 2022 and 2024 more JE cases were recorded in Tamil Nadu, with Chennai recording the highest number of cases. The study is a retrospective trend analysis using data uploaded to the IDSP – IHIP portal (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme - Integrated Health Information Platform) of Tamil Nadu, from January 2022 to December 2024. The analysis found that 306 cases were recorded and 24.2% of the cases were in the age group of 10 to 19 years. The highest number (120 cases) reported was in 2022. In 2023, 112 cases were identified and in 2024, 74 cases were reported. Chennai accounted for the highest proportion at 40.5%, followed by Tiruvallur (8.2%), Tiruvarur (6.2%), Tiruvannamalai (5.6%), Chengalpattu (4.9%), Thanjavur (4.6%), Villupuram (3.6%), and Madurai (2.6%). The remaining districts accounted for less than 2%. The Health Department has identified 14 districts — Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Karur, Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Virudhanagar and Tiruchi — as endemic. There has been a noticeable increase in cases (more than five cases) in districts outside of endemic areas such as Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Tenkasi, the study found. The authors, Regina Elizebeth Joy et al., cited the World Health Organisation's remarks that in endemic areas adults had likely developed natural immunity due to childhood infection, but children under 15 did not have the chance to develop immunity yet. Males more affected The data also showed gender disparity in JE cases, with higher incidence in males (62.04%) as compared to females (37.06%). More JE cases were reported during the post-monsoon and winter months, being attributed to increased breeding of Culex species, which transmit the JE vectors. The increasing number of cases in previously non-endemic regions are attributed to environmental and ecological factors, the authors concluded. Key factors included the presence of paddy fields, bird sanctuaries, field wells, pig populations, and ardeid bird habitats. Though most patients recovered some develop serious neurological sequelae. The neurological complications could lead to long-term disabilities. Many survivors experience cognitive, motor, or speech impairments. Director of Public Health T.S. Selvavinayagam, who is also a co-author of the study 'Epidemiological profile of Japanese Encephalitis in Tamil Nadu, 2022-2024: a secondary data analysis of IDSP-IHIP programme data', published in the recent volume of the Tamil Nadu Journal of Public Health and Medical Research, said the findings led the government to announce expansion of JE vaccination to five districts. 'It's a part of the announcement made in the Assembly,' he said. 'We are getting cases only because of screening, we will only ask everyone to report regularly,' he added. On May 15, the Health Minister had launched the universal Immunisation programme in Chennai. It included 11 vaccines, including for JE.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Japanese encephalitis cases rise in urban and periurban areas of tamil nadu
(JE), a that can cause inflammation of the brain, is expanding beyond its traditional rural agricultural areas in to urban and peri-urban areas, including Chennai, says a new study. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The state has identified 14 districts as endemic to the disease, but between 2022 and 2024, cases of the viral disease surged in areas not typically associated with high infection rates. "Chennai recorded the highest number of JE cases (40%) during this period, followed by Tiruvallur and Thiruvarur," says Regina Elizebeth Joy, the study's corresponding author, from Christian Medical College in Vellore. For the retrospective analysis, published in the state public health journal, doctors from CMC and the directorate of public health (DPH) used surveillance data from the integrated health information platform and identified 306 cases. While more than 86% of patients recovered completely, 8% died, and 5.3% had neurological complications. Scientists found that cases began increasing in June, dipped slightly in September, and increased in December and January for all three years. Trend analysis showed that most people affected were between 10 and 19 years (24.2%), followed by those under five years (19%). The prevalence was higher among males (62.4%). District-wise prevalence put Chennai at the highest proportion at 40.5%, followed by Tiruvallur at 8.2% and Thiruvarur at 6.2%. The highest number of cases occurred in 2022, with 120 cases, followed by 2023 with 112 cases, and 2024 with 74 cases. "The urban spread is because of agricultural encroachment in peri-urban zones, climate change and population migration," says study author Dr T S Selvavinayagam, DPH director. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Rural areas remain vulnerable as paddy fields, wells and pigs create perfect conditions for mosquitoes and virus spread." Despite a high recovery rate, there is a chance of severe, long-term neurological complications developing in survivors. To stop the spread of JE, the authors stressed the need for mandatory vaccination. "We also need pre-monsoon strategies such as stronger mosquito control, awareness drives and real-time tracking to manage and reduce cases," says co-author Dr Subhashini K J from DPH.
