News

World Encephalitis Day History
14 February 2025
World Encephalitis Day is the biggest day of the year for people whose lives have been affected by inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis International established this global awareness day on the 22nd February 2014. Since its launch in 2014, World Encephalitis Day has reached 628 million people globally in our efforts to grow global awareness […]
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GENIE – A Portuguese association for autoimmune encephalitis research and care
7 February 2025
By Ana Vasconcelos (GENIE member) On January 24th, at the University of Coimbra (Portugal), we celebrated the official launch and inaugural meeting of GENIE – Grupo de Estudos em Neuroimunologia e Encefalites (translated as Neuroimmunology and Encephalitis Study Group). GENIE is a Portuguese association dedicated to raising awareness, conducting and disseminating research, fostering collaborations, and […]
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Lights, Camera, Encephalitis Awareness!
4 February 2025
Encephalitis International Deputy CEO, Phillippa Chapman and supporter of the non-profit Macy had the privilege to go to the World premiere of Bridget Jones diary 4: Mad about the Boy on Wednesday 29th January at Leicester Square Odeon Theatre. It was a star studded affair with sightings of all the cast including Bridget Jones herself – […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (January 2025)
4 February 2025
Mental Health and the Inflamed Brain By Dr James Marsh Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain often caused by infections or autoimmune processes, is a serious and sometimes life-altering condition. While the acute symptoms of encephalitis—including seizures, confusion, and headaches—are typically the focus of initial medical attention, an equally pressing but often overlooked aspect is the long-term […]
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WED Appeal
31 January 2025
On the 1st February 2025 we launch our World Encephalitis Day Appeal – countdown to change. Inspired by a petition signed by 27,678 of you, our encephalitis community, from 128 countries to “Show the World Health Organization that encephalitis matters” in 2019, this year’s World Encephalitis Day appeal, and campaign more broadly, marks a seminal […]
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Encephalitis - A Growing Global Threat - Global Policy Launch Event
22 January 2025
Encephalitis – a growing global threat Global Policy Launch Event Wednesday 19th February 2025, 6pm GMT – click the link below to join virtually. Global Policy Launch | Encephalitis International Inspired by a petition signed by 27,678 of you, our encephalitis community, from 128 countries to “Show the World Health Organization that encephalitis matters” in […]
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22 Club
22 January 2025
In March 2024 Encephalitis International launched its first ever business club – The 22 Club. The aim was simple, to give members of our community who are positioned to support our work via their businesses willingness to support nonprofits the chance to form a more meaningful partnership, gain benefits from supporting our work and join […]
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Experts call for unified classification system for tick-borne encephalitis
17 January 2025
A recent paper involving Encephalitis International’s CEO Ava Easton has highlighted a critical gap in how we classify tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infections. The research, published in the scientific journal ‘Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases’, brought together an expert panel of European clinicians and scientists with diverse expertise in TBEV infection to create a consensus statement […]
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Support Encephalitis International - Donate Online
6 January 2025
We’re very excited to be launching our new online donation form! This is hosted on our website and will allow our supporters to make a donation in a number of currencies: Great British Pounds, £GBP Euros, €EUR Australian Dollars, $AUD American Dollars, $USD Payments can be made using a credit / debit card, or via […]
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Fundraising for Encephalitis International
20 December 2024
As we near the end of 2024, we want to congratulate all our wonderful fundraisers – over 300 across the world – who have spread awareness and raised vital funds throughout the year. Their generosity ensures we can continue to support the encephalitis community into the future. Our 99 Brain Gamers spent September challenging themselves with […]
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David Brown 1952-2024
11 December 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Professor David W G Brown, MBBS MSc FRCPath FFPH. An internationally renowned public health virologist, David served with distinction as director of the Health Protection Agency’s Virus Reference Department from 2004 until his retirement in 2012, and a visiting professor at LSHTM. After training […]
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Encephalitis International and PPI (Patient & Public Involvement)
5 December 2024
What is PPI? PPI stands for Patient and Public Involvement in research. It describes how patients and the public can participate in medical research. It is important that, where possible, patients and the public have the opportunity to be involved in all stages of research. PPI can include: sharing lived experience of encephalitis, as a […]
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Autoimmune causes of seizures and epilepsy
25 November 2024
A seizure is a sudden change in behaviour, movement, and/or consciousness due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While 1 in 10 people will have a seizure during their lifetime, only around 1 in 100-200 will develop epilepsy, which means having repeated seizures over time. There are many causes of seizures and epilepsy. However, […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (November 2024)
4 November 2024
Finding Life-Changing Support Through Patient Events By Jackie Stebbins, Esq It seems unfathomable that a person could start the day with a 10-million-dollar professional career ahead of her but have it erased by the day’s end. It’s scary to believe that you can be diagnosed with a life-changing illness that you’ve never even heard of. It’s heartbreaking […]
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Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
28 October 2024
Key points: EEE is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. EEE virus is rare but has a 30% mortality rate among infected individuals. Half of survivors have brain or nerve problems. There is no human vaccine for EEE – so prevention is crucial. Introduction EEE has been in the […]
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Encephalitis – an invisible disability
24 October 2024
Every year, between 20-26th October, we celebrate Invisible Disability Week which was founded by the USA-based non profit organisation Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) in 2014. The aim of this campaign is to promote awareness, education, and support for those living with an invisible disability and their families around the world. Global statistics on invisible disabilities […]
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Encephalitis International is PIF TICK accredited
21 October 2024
Encephalitis International is proud to be accredited with the PIF TICK. What is PIF TICK? PIF TICK is a UK quality mark for reliable health information. Encephalitis International has received this accreditation from the Patient Information Forum (PIF), which means our health information is trustworthy. Why is it important? The PIF TICK accreditation helps people […]
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Research Blog: The Effects of Parenting Stress on Behavioural Problems in Children and Young People with Acquired Brain Injuries
9 October 2024
Read below about Toby Engelking’s study from the University of Exeter. Toby is a student researcher and a carer for his sibling with an acquired brain injury: Growing up with a sister that had experienced an acquired brain injury, I have always been acutely aware of the potential adverse effects of damage to the brain. […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (September)
27 September 2024
By Laura Ryan The lucky, unlucky one. That is what my mom always calls me. The chances of developing autoimmune encephalitis, inflammation of the brain caused by the immune system in error, were thought at the time to be roughly the same as winning the lotto—except I didn’t win the lotto, and I certainly did […]
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Researchers discover latest insights into after-effects of severe COVID-19 on the brain
26 September 2024
New steps have been taken towards a better understanding of the immediate and long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain in the UK’s largest study to date. We are delighted to announce that a study from researchers led by the University of Liverpool (including our CEO Dr Ava Easton and members of our Scientific Advisory […]
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Mpox and encephalitis
20 September 2024
Key points: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, can lead to rare but severe neurological complications. Encephalitis is the most common neurological complication of mpox infection, causing inflammation of the brain. Vaccination and early treatment are crucial in preventing severe outcomes of mpox infection. Introduction When you think about mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), you might […]
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We are closing our X account
16 September 2024
Our account on X, formerly known as Twitter, has been a source of connection and information for our members and wider community for many years. However, after an internal review, we have decided to close it. At Encephalitis International, we aim for everyone to be respected for who they are. Everyone deserves to feel supported […]
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Oropouche virus – what you need to know
29 August 2024
A virus in Brazil has been causing concern for health organisations around the world. Introduction The Oropouche virus (pronounced o-ro-push) has now been described as a ‘mysterious’ and ‘emerging’ threat in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet (1). In July, authorities in Brazil reported the deaths of two adults from Oropouche fever as a result […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (June)
9 August 2024
Protect Your Brain and Body Health While Exploring the World By Prav Prathapan, Encephalitis International While encephalitis can happen to anyone anywhere in the world, certain regions and travel activities can increase your chances of exposure to the bugs that can trigger this illness. Importantly, in recent years, there has been an increase in the […]
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