Brain-swelling disease kills dozens in India

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- Doctors say an encephalitis outbreak has killed 130 people -- mostly children -- in northern India since January.

The outbreak of acute encephalitis -- an inflammation of brain tissue -- is mostly concentrated in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, said V.S. Nigam, the state's nodal officer for tackling the disease.

He told CNN that 640 patients had tested positive for the infection, including 30 with Japanese encephalitis, which is spread by mosquitoes.

Acute encephalitis can be spread in various ways, including a bacterial or viral infection; the ingesting of toxic substances; and complications of a disease.

The disease has mostly struck children up to 15 years old, Nigam added.

As if the Swine Flu panic wasn't enough!

Duplicate thread: The outbreak of acute encephalitis in UP

yes I thought it belonged in two sections UP and health/medical.

I've been offered a shot for Japanese Encephalitis for the two trips I've made in the last couple of years - didn't have it as we were told it wasn't a big issue. OK it's still not a biggie but people need to know to make up their own minds about shots etc.

Very informative. We are a family of 4 visiting in November and we have just had our Japanese Encephalitis shots (and rabies)

Duplicate thread- closed. Please follow the link in vko's post to discuss this issue.