Fourteen children under the age of 15 have died in hospitals in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, over the past month from suspected acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), health authorities said.
Teams from national institutes have been dispatched to investigate as more cases continue to emerge.
Doctors reported that the affected children were admitted with very high fever and deteriorated rapidly, with some falling unconscious within 24 hours.
Most also developed acute renal failure, with their kidneys ceasing to function. Several required dialysis and ventilator support in attempts to save their lives.
In Chhindwara, six of the deaths were reported from Parasia block, a rural area where all the children were between three and ten years old. The block has now been declared a high-alert zone.
Preliminary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood tests have ruled out known bacterial and viral infections, leaving the cause of the outbreak unclear.
The National Institute of Virology in Pune and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have sent teams to investigate, and surveillance has been stepped up across rural Vidarbha and neighbouring districts.
Some recent cases are being classified as acute encephalopathy rather than encephalitis. While encephalitis usually indicates a viral infection causing brain inflammation, encephalopathy can result from toxins, poisoning, or environmental factors.
Doctors have not yet determined whether the outbreak is caused by a new infectious agent, poisoning, or environmental triggers.
Dr Vikas Krishnananda, consultant paediatric neurologist at Kinder Hospitals, Bangalore, said preliminary reports point to the Chandipura virus as the likely cause.
“While Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is more common and preventable through vaccination, there is currently no vaccine for Chandipura virus. Both viruses, however, can cause equally severe illness,” he added.
What is Acute Encephalitis Syndrome?
AES is an umbrella term for conditions where the brain becomes inflamed. One of the most well-known causes in India is Japanese Encephalitis (JE), a viral disease spread from animals to humans via mosquito bites.
The JE virus is transmitted mainly by Culex mosquitoes of the Vishnui group, which acquire the virus from birds such as pond herons and cattle egrets, as well as pigs, before infecting humans.
“Humans are incidental hosts, meaning they do not play a major role in spreading the virus further. It typically affects people living or travelling in rural areas where mosquitoes breed in rice paddies, swamps, or stagnant water,” said Dr Vibhu Kawatra, pulmonologist and allergy specialist.
AES is diagnosed through clinical evaluation, confirmed by testing CSF. Most cases are viral; bacterial causes are rare.
Also Read : 7 new Japanese Encephalitis cases reported in Madhya Pradesh
Symptoms to Watch For
According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), JE and other viral encephalitis cases share symptoms, making testing essential. Common symptoms include:
-
Fever and headache
-
Stupor, disorientation, or coma
-
Tremors and seizures
-
Paralysis or muscle stiffness
-
Loss of coordination
-
Signs of meningitis, including neck stiffness, vomiting, and light sensitivity
Dr Kawatra said the illness progresses rapidly, potentially causing severe neurological complications such as paralysis, memory loss, and cognitive impairment. Mortality in severe cases can reach 20 to 30 per cent, with survivors often left with long-term disabilities.
No Specific Cure
There is currently no antiviral medicine to treat JE. Doctors provide supportive care, including acetaminophen (paracetamol) for fever and aches, hydration, intravenous fluids, ventilator support, and dialysis when required.
Vaccination
The central government included JE in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in 2013. Two doses are given to children: the first at nine months, alongside the measles vaccine, and the second at 16–24 months with the DPT booster.
Vaccination is carried out in 334 districts across 24 states. For adolescents and adults above 15, the JENVAC vaccine is available in high-burden areas.
Authorities are awaiting test results to confirm whether the Nagpur and Chhindwara outbreak is linked to JE, Chandipura virus, or another environmental factor. Experts caution that rural children in high-risk areas remain most vulnerable to encephalitis.
Follow us
