New Delhi, November 28, 2024: Delhi has reported a single case of Japanese Encephalitis, an official confirmed on Thursday, stressing that the situation does not warrant any immediate concern. Public health protocols have been activated in line with the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) guidelines, sources said.
The patient, a 72-year-old man from west Delhi, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on November 3 after experiencing chest pain. His medical history includes diabetes, coronary artery disease, lower limb weakness, and incontinence. His condition worsened over time, and following a blood sample taken on November 6, he tested positive for Japanese Encephalitis.
“He was discharged on November 15 after a period of treatment,” sources noted. The case is being treated as isolated, with no reports of a wider outbreak in the city.
According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, 1,548 Japanese Encephalitis cases were reported nationwide in 2024 across 24 states and Union Territories, with Assam contributing the highest number—925 cases. The disease, which is transmitted through the bite of infected culex mosquitoes, is primarily carried by waterfowl and amplified in pigs.
“The virus causes febrile illness and can lead to neurological complications in a small proportion of cases, which may prove fatal,” explained an official. However, there is no human-to-human transmission, and no specific antiviral treatment exists for the disease.
In response to the case, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi issued a directive on Wednesday to step up vector control measures. Health experts reassure the public that the situation remains under control, pointing out that occasional isolated cases have been reported in Delhi’s tertiary hospitals in the past, mostly linked to neighboring states.
Japanese Encephalitis vaccines have been included in the Universal Immunisation Programme since 2013, with adult vaccination available in high-burden states. Despite the isolated case, officials maintain that there is no cause for concern, and all necessary public health measures are in place to prevent further spread.
