During the months June to December, 1997, 52 cases of suspected viral encep
halitis were admitted at the Government Hospital, Sangli. These cases were
from the congested areas of Sangli and the adjoining villages. All age grou
ps and both genders were affected. IgM antibodies to Japanese encephalitis
(JE) virus were detected in the sera of five of the 52 cases. Perhaps JE vi
rus has established itself in a new locality in Maharashtra and could cause
serious public health problems.