Verified By June 23, 2020
Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Vaishali, and East Champaran districts in Bihar once reeled under the outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). The syndrome affected hundreds of children and claimed many lives. The deaths of most of the children were attributed to low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia).
AES or Japanese Encephalitis, also known as ‘Chamki Fever’ or Litchi Virus in India, is an umbrella term used for infections that cause inflammation, irritation or swelling in the brain. AES complications may include memory loss, coma and even death. Here is more on the syndrome:
The signs and symptoms typically include:
Sources like fungus, bacteria, chemicals, parasites, toxins, and spirochetes are reported as the cause of AES over the past few decades. However, viruses are also behind the cause of AES in India. In addition to viral encephalitis, a severe form of toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis can cause AES. Apart from this, the causative agent of AES varies with geographical location and season.
The logic behind the link between litchi fruit consumption and AES is that when children eat large amounts of unripe litchi fruits (on an empty stomach), it may lead to hypoglycemic encephalopathy. It is a brain injury that causes prolonged or severe hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Unripe litchi has the toxins hypoglycin A and methylene cyclopropyl glycine (MCPG) that cause vomiting if ingested in large quantities. An India-U.S. team confirmed the role of the toxin MCPG in 2017.
Well-nourished children are not affected by the consumption of Litchi fruit. AES affects only undernourished children who consumed litchi fruit the previous day and went to bed on an empty stomach.
However, while linking the litchi fruit to AES deaths (owing to the presence of infectious organisms) is well documented, this alone cannot be attributed to as the main cause of death. Some recent findings by specialists have narrowed down the main reasons for AES to multiple other factors, like humidity, malnutrition, heat, and poor hygiene.
We can treat Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) using antibiotics, antiviral medication, and supportive care. The treatment for hypoglycaemia includes supplying dextrose, a simple sugar similar to glucose, intravenously. Other measures include:
AES can be prevented by:
This is a brief guide on Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). It is important to be aware of this life-threatening disease and the preventive measures that must be taken for the same.