22 Highlights - World Encephalitis Day 2025
On the 12th anniversary of World Encephalitis Day, we share our 22 highlights from this year’s campaign.
To our global encephalitis community, media and organisation partners, thank you for making WED 2025 a success.
Hot off the press... WHO Technical Brief on Encephalitis
Coinciding with World Encephalitis Day 2025, the World Health Organization have published a Technical Brief on encephalitis, to engage policymakers and public health officials.
Five years ago on World Encephalitis Day 2020 a petition signed by almost 28,000 people impacted by the condition in over 100 countries was presented to the WHO. This Technical Brief was inspired by this petition and we are proud to see it published to coincide with WED 2025.
Earlier this month we hosted a launch event with a panel of experts, including a representative from the World Health Organization, highlighting what global future actions are needed to help reduce death and disability from encephalitis. We are pleased to share the recording from this event.
You can read the report here.
RED-y, Set, Go!
Our supporters turned social media RED-y to make a difference…
From WED t shirts to red socks, nails, hair and much more… you turned social media #Red4WED and raised awareness on a monumental scale.
We admired your commitment to the cause, see if you can spot yourself in our official #Red4WED album.
All A(Bill)Board!
With the support of our friends at Camino Communications we sought to capture the attention of the public at Piccadilly Lights and Times Square with a unique video aimed at raising awareness of encephalitis and its symptoms.
Building a brighter future
Landmarks from 27 countries lit up #Red4WED to shine a light on encephalitis.
Check out how fabulous they all looked!
Towering above!
We wanted to give a particular shoutout to The Majestic Torch in Doha, Qatar and the Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka for their spectacular lights up this World Encephalitis Day.
Your stories inspiring change
We sat down with members of the encephalitis community from across the globe and asked them why Encephalitis International was important and what World Encephalitis Day meant to them
Red Tape!
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London has unveiled a brand new therapy room dedicated to supporting patients with encephalitis!
Funded by The National Brain Appeal, this calming space will provide a vital haven for patients experiencing the challenges of this condition.
We hope it paves the way for more hospitals to follow in their footsteps!
We've got it covered
This year’s PR and media campaign targeted raising awareness of encephalitis amongst healthcare professionals.
Following the launch of the WHO’s Technical Brief we are proud to have been featured in so many global media outlets.
BBC World Service
Listen Now: Powerful Stories of Encephalitis on BBC Worldwide News Service! 🎧
Our CEO, Dr Ava Easton, and community members Amanda and Judiel bravely share their experiences of encephalitis on BBC World Service’s Health Check.
Hear their inspiring stories and learn more about this important topic.
Ambassadors... and their dogs
Thank you to our wonderful Encephalitis International ambassadors for supporting our awareness raising activities, but most importantly…
Thank you Tic Tac!
World Encephalitis Day Alliance Conference
World Encephalitis Day began even earlier this month with a three day conference at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.
With a range of healthcare professionals and people impacted by encephalitis sharing their experiences we welcomed 90 of our American encephalitis community at this important event.
Special Encephalitis Podcast edition
In this World Encephalitis Day special, Dr Ava Easton is joined by Doctor Tarun Dua, head of the Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Counting down to change
With the publication of the World Health Organization’s Technical Brief, we launched our World Encephalitis Day Fund.
This year’s WED Appeal aims to raise £50,000 with your donations dedicated to the awareness raising, support and research activities guided by the WHO’s Technical Brief.
Watch our Countdown to Change appeal video to follow our work with the WHO to date.
Tackling encephalitis head on!
Our ambassador, Abi Burton, organised her team, Trailfinders and opponents Loughborough to wear our #Red4WED t shirts in the warm up to their Premiership Women’s Rugby game on World Encephalitis Day.
New Autoimmune encephalitis group - GENIE
We’re excited to announce that GENIE – Grupo de Estudos em Neuroimunologia e Encefalites – the Portuguese Neuroimmunology and Encephalitis Study Group – has officially launched its website.
The Study Group has a clear mission to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in autoimmune encephalitis.
A close shave!
We have been inspired by so many of our World Encephalitis Day fundraisers.
Whilst many of you chose to whip out your aprons and hold a bake sale, or commit to a sponsored run or walk… we were particularly impressed with Mike’s sponsored leg shave and commitment to the #Red4WED theme!
Who is missing their #Red4WED t shirt at our HQ?
@encephalitisint Who is missing their red4WED t-shirt at Encephalitis International HQ? We’re all wearing red – are you? Share your red4wed pictures and videos this World Encephalitis Day 2025 red4wed worldencephalitisday encephalitisinternational encephalitis autoimmuneencephalitis red4wed2025 worldencephalitisday2025 encephalitissurvivor encephalitisawareness braininjuryawareness fyp behindthescenes
♬ original sound – Encephalitis International – Encephalitis International
Profs join forces to raise awareness
Our annual Encephalitis Conference welcomed 515 healthcare professionals from 71 countries to discuss and advance the latest encephalitis research. Some of this year’s delegates discuss the impact of our work and having the support of the World Health Organization
Tim's Car!
Supporter Tim Frame decorated his car to spread information on encephalitis.
You’ll be pleased to know no driving took place and Tim returned to his car after completing a 5k race!
Out with the old in with the new!
This World Encephalitis Day we felt it was the right time to refresh our campaigns logo.
Watch this space for new WED T shirts and other assets next year!
Making WED possible... Thank you partners!
A big shoutout to our official World Encephalitis Day campaign partners. Their support makes the campaign possible, thank you!
That's a Wrap!
On behalf of all the Encephalitis International team, thank you for supporting World Encephalitis Day 2025!
