The World Health Organization (WHO) and Encephalitis International have called for immediate global action to address the growing public health threat of encephalitis – swelling and inflammation of the brain, often due to infection
Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition, leading to high mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. It is estimated that encephalitis affects three people every minute globally, but its incidence may be considerably higher.
In a technical brief to mark World Encephalitis Day (February 22, 2025), titled “Encephalitis: Global threats, trends and public health implications,” WHO and Encephalitis International outlined critical interventions needed from policymakers, health professionals, and researchers to combat this life-threatening condition.
“The WHO Encephalitis technical brief aims to focus attention on the increasing global threat of encephalitis, prevention strategies and existing gaps in the diagnosis, treatment and care which will help enable more people affected to receive the treatment and care they need to live fulfilling and healthy lives,” said Dr Tarun Dua, Brain Health Unit, Department of Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use.
The health organizations noted that unless prompt action is taken, encephalitis will continue to drive avoidable deaths and disability. They, however, stated that the withdrawal of support for the WHO and potential dissolution of USAID by President Donald J Trump’s Administration, among other recent executive actions, threaten to worsen an already challenging situation.
The economic impact of encephalitis is substantial, with annual costs exceeding £23 million (US$35 million) in England alone. In the United States, pediatric encephalitis hospitalizations were estimated to cost $2 billion in 2010, with individual critical care cases reaching up to $260,012.
Professor Tom Solomon CBE, President of Encephalitis International and WHO advisor, emphasized that many necessary interventions are not expensive.
“A lot of it is about increasing surveillance and recognition of the condition, providing simple equipment for early diagnosis, and making sure the right treatments, many of which are very affordable, are available,” he added.
Despite the low cost of treatment, studies from low-income and lower-middle-income countries show how great the cost burden of encephalitis is for families. In Nepal, families face out-of-pocket costs of US$1,151 for children with severe/moderate impairment – ten times their median monthly income.
The brief recommends several key interventions, including public and healthcare professional education for early recognition, Adoption of standardized clinical guidelines, Better availability and affordability of medicines, Integration of key vaccines into national childhood immunization programs and Strengthened disease surveillance systems
However, Dr. Ava Easton, CEO of Encephalitis International, stressed that recent actions by the Trump administration, including the potential withdrawal of WHO support and dissolution of USAID, could significantly impact the implementation of these recommendations and global health outcomes.
“Whilst the launch of this seminal WHO technical brief on encephalitis is a groundbreaking moment for the disease, those it affects, and those researching it, recent actions by President Trump not only have profound implications for the advancement of the report’s actions, but also for the health of the people of the United States, and many others around the world,” said Dr Easton.
The condition, which can be caused by both infectious and autoimmune factors, affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds but disproportionately impacts those in low-to-middle-income countries where healthcare resources are limited.
Survivors often face long-term complications including cognitive deficits, physical impairments, and emotional difficulties, requiring lifelong care and support.