Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

Why in news?

• Authorities in Bihar are working on strategies to prevent AES as rising temperature and humidity reignite fears of an outbreak.
• AES is characterized as acute-onset of fever and a change in mental status and/or new-onset of seizures in a person of any age at any time of the year.
• It most commonly affects children and young adults and can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality.
• Viruses are the main causative agents in AES cases, although other sources such as bacteria, fungus, parasites, spirochetes, chemicals, toxins and non-infectious agents have also been reported.