WED - gatherings

This year’s World Encephalitis Day will see many awareness events held across the globe.

Supporters – both from the general public and at medical institutions – are holding awareness and fundraising days in the run up to and on Saturday, February 22, to share information about encephalitis and the work of the Encephalitis Society and other organisations.

Most events are invitation only while there are a number which are open to the public.

If you are planning an event, please send us details by filling out our online form or calling +44(0)1653 692583.

Events include:

Public Events

Australia

Sydney, Opera Bar, Opera House, 10am. Join Lorraine and others for coffee and cake at the Opera Bar at Sydney Opera House. Look for the red shirts! RSVP

Brisbane, Strathpine. Silky Oak Espresso. Join Tahla, her family and friends - and the staff - for an awareness day. Anytime between 6am and 12pm. Directions

Worcester, Diglis Foot. Saturday, 22nd February, 10am. RSVP

Join Lisa on a gentle BrainWalk around the River Severn, starting at the Diglis Foot and Cycle Bridge and stopping off at the Diglis Hotel en route for refreshments. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisa-ventura RSVP (Please note that the walk may be postponed until Saturday, March 7, due to flooding in and around Worcester).

Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Quarry, 22nd February, 9am. Open to all.

Join Rachel, a member of Team Encephalitis, for the 5km Shrewsbury Park Run. Rachel and her friends will be wearing red while running the 5km on the morning of World Encephalitis Day. Simply turn up and find others wearing red!

Ampthill, Parkside Community Hall, Woburn Street, 22nd February, 18:30 – 23:00 (doors close at 19:15)

Join Bailey and Hannah, for a Charity Quiz and Raffle night in celebration of World Encephalitis Day. Tickets are £7, and please note it is cash only on the night. More details.

Bristol, Ashton Court, Bristol, 22nd February, 9am. RSVP

Join Kim, for a relaxed park run (or walk) in your Red4WED t-shirt (or other red clothing). Kim will be there to walk/run and support you (it doesn't matter how slow or fast, fit or not you are, she promises!). Followed by tea and cake in the cafe in Ashton Court (weather dependent). Everyone is welcome, but please note you need to register on the Parkrun website for free to take part. Kim will be waiting to meet you near the start from 08:50am in her red t-shirt.

USA

Dallas, Texas. World Encephalitis Day conference, 21-23, February. Book Now

The first ever World Encephalitis Day conference is a three day event for survivors, caregivers and medical professionals where you can listen to a number of speakers, meet one another and celebrate World Encephalitis Day.

Please note that the following events are INVITATION ONLY

Australia

Parkville, Victoria. Morning tea and awareness at Seqirus, Parkville, on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Austria

GP information day featuring talks on topics such as tick-borne encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, also a Jeopardy-style quiz on encephalitis at Valneva offices in Vienna on 17th February. Private event.

China

Beijing. WED awareness activities across 20 hospitals, on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

India

Bangalore. Expert talks, Treasure hunt, quiz, and visit to the brain museum at NIMHANS on Saturday, 22nd February. Aimed at medial students, professionals.

Sevagram, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Student Symposium on encephalitis.

Italy

Verona. Meeting with patients and families to present work and research on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Aberystwyth. WED pub fundraiser, on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Cardiff. WED workplace awareness event, on Friday, February 21st. Private event.

Cornwall. Red4WED walk on Saturday, February 22nd. Private event.

Craigavon. Red4WED awareness event and cake sale, on Friday, 21st February and Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Daventry. Red4WED awareness day, on Friday, 14th February. Open to pupils and parents only.

Devon. WED Awareness Day - raffle with hamper, including Gilley the Giraffe at Warberry C of E Academy, Torquay, on Friday, 14th February. Open to pupils/parents only.

Leighton Buzzard. WED coffee morning on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Lincolnshire. WED awareness day at Market Deeping Community Primary School, Market Deeping, on Friday, 14th February. Open to pupils and parents only.

Liverpool. Information stand and staff videos at Alder Hey Children's Hospital on Friday, 21st February.

Loughborough. Information and awareness display at Loughbrough University, on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Kent. Information display at Gravesham Community Hospital on Friday, 21st February. Private event.

Kent. Red4WED 2 mile run every day of February. Private event.

Oxford. Information awareness day at Oxfam, Staff Health Service, Oxford, on Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

USA

Massachusetts. Cycling 222 miles (10/day) from Saturday, February 1st until Saturday, 22nd February. Private event.

Florida, UF Shands Paediatric Infusion Clinic, Friday, February 21, from 11am. Tricia will be collecting and donating art supplies to the clinic where her daughter, Maddi, receives treatment for autoimmune encephalitis.

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NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.
Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.
What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.
West Nile encephalitis

West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.
Guidelines for recovery

No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.
Limbic encephalitis

The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.
Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted by mosquitoes, called ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.
Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare condition, which is probably of autoimmune origin. The concept of HE is becoming fragmented into a number of other types of autoimmune encephalitis which appear to have their own autoantibodies, prognosis and associated features.
Death from encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.
Measles infection and encephalitis

Measles causes encephalitis in children with measles infection. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a very effective way to prevent against these diseases.