Japanese encephalitis

Background There are few comprehensive reports of epidemic Japanese encephalitis in a previously unaffected region. We report our experience of a first-ever outbreak of it in Sonitpur District, Assam, India, with 45 laboratory-confirmed cases at a single hospital.

Method Between 2 July and 11 August 2008, patients meeting the WHO definition of acute encephalitis syndrome were assessed in a single hospital and had tests including blood and cerebrospinal fluid for Japanese encephalitis antibody titres.