Public Health Laboratory Surveillance and Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis: Time to Revisit.

OBJECTIVE We assessed detection of recent Japanese encephalitis virus infection using recommended strategy. METHODS Cross-sectional community-based study conducted in 12 villages in Kushinagar, Uttar-Pradesh, India in 2012-13. Recent infection with Japanese encephalitis virus in 239 healthy children aged 1-15 year was detected using a combination of serology and molecular methods. RESULTS 24 (10%) children showed recent infection; 2 by serology and 22 by molecular method. Symptomatic cases were estimated as 626 in Kushinagar against reported 139 in all age groups across the state. CONCLUSIONS Lower positivity using recommended serology suggests major gap in existing surveillance and diagnostic protocols and estimation of burden of Japanese encephalitis.