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Encephalitis – A Growing Global Threat – Global Policy Launch Event

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 2019, this year’s World Encephalitis Day marks a seminal moment in the history of encephalitis and Encephalitis International.

Not wanting to delay the petition’s momentum. In February 2020, we went on a mission. Our CEO, Dr Ava Easton and President, Prof. Tom Solomon, CBE took this petition in person to the World Health Organization.

We knew that to really tackle the global problem of encephalitis on issues such as data and surveillance, affordable and accessible diagnostics and treatments, we needed the backing of a global authority.

A year later we finalised our Global Impact Report – a 180-page report, the first of its kind documenting the gaps and impact relating to encephalitis around the world and proposing solutions.

From tracking incidence and the needs of those affected, through to the availability and affordability of preventative solutions, diagnostics and treatments. This was presented to the head of the World Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization. It truly was the first report of its kind to really document the global burden of encephalitis, and it was this report that inspired what was to come.

In early 2022, the report is launched and announced in the Lancet Neurology and a two-day stakeholder event in held in June by the WHO in collaboration with Encephalitis International began.

People were beginning to listen and wanted a seat at the table…

On World Encephalitis Day 2023 the World Health Organization published a seminal report: Why encephalitis matters?

It detailed the discussions from the stakeholder meetings and was an important pivotal moment and validation for the 28,000 of you who signed the petition back in 2019.

But what was needed now was a more influential document. Something which would inspire governments, policy-makers, healthcare officials, researchers and people with the power to make others listen and really change the landscape of encephalitis around the world.

Some six years later we will be seeing the publication of a Technical Brief, similar to that on Parkinson disease in 2022.

It’s publication, set to coincide with World Encephalitis Day 2025, will direct empower Encephalitis International and other global stakeholders to work together to address issues of data and surveillance, prevention, patient diagnosis, treatment and aftercare, along with awareness and the funding needed to make change.

World Encephalitis Day will share some of the findings of this technical brief and which is aimed at policymakers, government and health officials globally, asking them to recognise the problem of encephalitis and be open to solutions on topics such as better surveillance, improved diagnostics and treatments and furthering research.

We are proud to be hosting the launch of this Technical Brief on Wednesday 19th February from 6pm. A panel, including a representative from the World Health Organization, will highlight what global future actions are needed to help reduce death and disability from encephalitis.

Global Policy Launch | Encephalitis International

Page Created: 22 January 2025
Last Modified: 6 February 2025
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