Japanese encephalitis in southeastern Nepal: clinical aspects in the 1986 epidemic.

A multi disciplinary team furthered the collaborative study of acute encephalitis in southeastern Nepal during a major epidemic which occurred in the monsoon period of 1986. Viral studies of serum and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) confirmed Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) as the causative agent. Analysis of epidemiologic data suggests recent introduction of the virus to the regional population. Children accounted for the majority of all hospital admissions and had a markedly lower fatality rate from the infection than adults. Unfavourable prognostic indicators identified include a reduced conscious level on admission to hospital and a low serum or CSF IgM response to JEV.