BACKGROUND: Studies on Japanese Encephalitis,a leading cause of encephalitis and neurological infections in Asia, are very few. We aim to study the impact of Japanese encephalitis and its outcome in a tertiary care hospital in North India.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted in patients suffering from viral encephalitis. Routine investigations, computed tomographic scan of head, magnetic resonance imaging brain and CSF analysis were done.

RESULTS: Most of the patients were in the age group of 21 to 30 year. Males were more affected than females. After a follow up at 1 month, neuro–sequelae were found to be present in 64.70% patients of JE, with maximum patients having altered behaviour. Proportion of patients who recovered was 15.68 % while 19.60% patients expired.

CONCLUSION: Reporting and appropriate workup of the suspected acute viral encephalitis patients is very important to reduce the morbidity and mortality.