On February 22 2026 we join millions of people across the world in shining a light on encephalitis, a serious inflammation of the brain affecting people of all ages.
World Encephalitis Day, founded in the UK in 2014 by Encephalitis International, has grown into the largest global awareness initiative for this condition, reaching 225 million people to date. By taking part in World Encephalitis Day, we aim to increase understanding of both infectious encephalitis and Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) - helping save lives through earlier recognition and improved access to diagnosis and care.
Why This Day Matters
Despite its severity, encephalitis remains widely misunderstood. 77% of people worldwide have never heard of encephalitis - a statistic that Encephalitis International is working tirelessly to change. Despite it's low visibility, encephalitis affects an estimated 500,000 people globally each year, with the number of friends and family members indirectly impacted running in to the millions.
What Is Encephalitis?
Encephalitis occurs when the brain becomes inflamed due to:
- An infection affecting the brain, or
- The immune system attacking the brain in error, known as Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE).
Encephalitis can develop rapidly and is associated with both high mortality and long-term disability. Anyone - regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity - can be affected.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improving outcomes. It is also important for clinicians to differentiate infectious vs autoimmune encephalitis to provide the appropriate treatment quickly.
Introducing F.L.A.M.E.S
This year sees Encephalitis International launching the F.L.A.M.E. campaign. This new acronym is designed to raise awareness of the urgent neurological warning signs for encephalitis, to help the public and doctors recognize and treat encephalitis quickly.
Partnering for Progress in Encephalitis Awareness
For several years, we have been a proud official partner of World Encephalitis Day, standing alongside a global community dedicated to increasing awareness and improving outcomes for people affected by encephalitis.
Last month, we were honored to participate in the 'My Brain and Medicine' event hosted by Encephalitis International in Stockholm, where the experiences and voices of patients and families were placed at the center of the conversation. Hearing these perspectives first-hand reinforces how vital it is to continue learning from lived experience and to work collaboratively toward better awareness, more reliable diagnostics, and improved treatment pathways for encephalitis patients.
Building on this commitment, we remain dedicated to continually strengthening the support we offer clinicians in their diagnostic work. Earlier this month we took an important step forward with the launch of a more comprehensive encephalitis diagnostics offering including Sweden’s first Tissue‑Based Assay service for neuro autoantibody screening - expanding the tools available for accurate and timely diagnosis.
As we mark World Encephalitis Day 2026, we are reminded of the continued need for awareness and innovation in encephalitis care. We remain dedicated to learning, improving, and evolving to help achieve better outcomes for all those affected.
