14 children die of acute encephalitis syndrome in Nagpur & Chhindwara in 30 days

Nagpur: At least 13 children under the age of 15 mysteriously succumbed to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) from Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district while undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur over the past month. In a recent case, a 15-year-old boy with cerebral palsy from Nagpur also died of AES at GMCH. None of the deceased showed signs of infectivity, as per preliminary investigation.The spate of deaths set off alarm bells, prompting teams from National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, to rush to Nagpur for sample collection and surveillance. Parallel surveys are being conducted at Chhindwara's Parasia block, which has emerged as a hotspot, to determine the underlying cause.AES, a critical brain fever condition, has also been diagnosed in patients from rural Vidarbha districts. Many are currently receiving treatment at govt and private hospitals in Nagpur. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) confirmed two AES cases from the city — one resulting in death, while the other recovered. Vector-borne surveillance has been carried out in affected localities.According to GMCH doctors, six children in the 3-10 age-group from Parasia died since August 26, while four more are being treated. "Three of them died within 24 hours of admission. The other three, despite haemodialysis and ventilator support, succumbed after a week. All experienced renal failure with zero urine output, following high fever. CSF tests revealed no signs of infection. Samples have been sent for confirmation," doctors said. More kids with AES are being brought to both GMCH and IGGMCH every day, officials added.They added while cases are officially being recorded as AES, they are being clinically managed as encephalopathy, which differs from encephalitis in treatment protocols.At AIIMS-Nagpur, eight patients from Parasia and Gadchiroli are currently admitted, while one child from Yavatmal is also under treatment. All kids were brought in a critical condition, they said. Nagpur rural initially suspected three children to be AES cases, but those were later ruled out. Senior NMC health officials confirmed no infectious cause has been identified so far. "Neither viral, bacterial nor vector-borne pathogens have been confirmed in these patients. Yet, as per guidelines, the cases are classified under AES. All deaths and critical cases are in the paediatric population below 15 years," they said.Most of the deceased were brought in critical condition, already on ventilator support, to GMC, AIIMS, and a few private hospitals. Results from the NIV and NCDC investigations are expected within a week.Infographic14 AES deaths in last month13 from Chhindwara, MP1 from Nagpur cityHospitals reporting deathsGMCH NagpurAIIMS NagpurAge group affected: Children under 15 yearsHotspot identified: Parasia block, ChhindwaraGMCH data (since August 26):6 deaths (ages 3–10)4 currently admittedSymptoms noted:High feverImmediate renal failure (zero urine output)Brain dysfunction (encephalopathy features)Investigations underway:NIV Pune & NCDC teams collecting samplesCause of deaths still unknownConfirmed non-infectious so farNo viral, bacterial, or vector-borne link found