Seasonal Prevalence of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Patna District of Bihar, India

Background: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a major upcoming health problem in Bihar, India. JE is considered in the group of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) taking toll of pediatric age group every year in Bihar. The pattern of transmission of the disease in new areas based on seasonality is needed to be investigate. Methods: Sources of data collection of AES and JE were Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital Patna through State health Society, Bihar, Patna. The vector and sera samples of pigs were collected from endemic zone. The central tendency statistical method was applied for analysis of data. Result: In total 21 cases of AES were reported from two top-grade state hospitals at Patna like Patna Medical College Hospital and Nalanda Medical College Hospital in 2018. The cases were found prevalent throughout the year in 2018 between the temperature range of 5oC to 49oC and Relative humidity 11 to 100%. The number of patients was high under the age of ten. The Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) was also detected from the pigs. Eight sera samples of pigs out of 10 were found positive for JEV collected from the affected areas. The disease transmitting vectors like Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex vishnui were present in the locality. The case fatality was found 6.7% in the case of JE. All cases were treated in the hospitals. Conclusion: The case fatality rate due to AES including JE was very high in Patna district. The cases of JE are appearing most of the months in the year. It is essential to scrutinize the cases in time and to implement the essential control measures to treat patient and to use insecticide to control vector to inhibit further transmission of the disease along with vaccination in due course of time. How to cite this article:Kumar P, Mishra R, Topno RK, Kumar M, Dinesh DS, Singh DK. Seasonal Prevalence of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Patna District of Bihar, India. J Commun Dis 2019; 51(4): 58-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.201937