Archive · 23 May 2025
T.N. Expands Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination Coverage
Japanese Encephalitis (JE), a disease spread by mosquitos, is becoming more common in cities.
A study in Tamil Nadu, India, found many cases between 2022 and 2024, especially in Chennai.
The study showed most people who got sick were teenagers.
The Health Department is now giving more people the JE vaccine.
The spread is linked to farming, climate changes, and the places mosquitos breed.
Men are more affected than women.
The Health Department also suggests that everyone report regularly to manage and track cases.
JE cases are rising in urban areas of Tamil Nadu, with Chennai having the most cases.
A study between 2022-2024 identified 306 cases.
Most affected age group was 10-19 years old.
The Health Department is expanding JE vaccination to five more districts.
Environmental and ecological factors are contributing to the spread.
- Who
- The study was conducted by doctors from Christian Medical College in Vellore and the Directorate of Public Health.
- What
- A study shows the spread of Japanese Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne illness, in urban and peri-urban areas of Tamil Nadu.
- When
- Cases increased between 2022 and 2024, peaking in 2022 with 120 cases.
- Where
- Cases are rising in urban and peri-urban areas of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Thiruvarur.
- Why
- Increasing cases are attributed to environmental and ecological factors like paddy fields, bird sanctuaries, and pig populations.
Factors Influencing JE Spread
Health Department Response
Causes
Factors Influencing JE Spread
Environmental and ecological factors in increasing cases.
Health Department Response
Environmental factors that are attributed to increasing cases include: paddy fields, bird sanctuaries, field wells, pig populations, and ardeid bird habitats.
- Type of Disease
- Mosquito-borne illness
- Study Period
- 2022-2024
- Highest Affected District
- Chennai (40.5%)
- Highest Affected Age Group
- 10-19 years
- Total Cases in Study
- 306
- Gender Disparity
- Males (62.04%)
