Weymouth Town Bridge will turn red on the evening of Wednesday, 22 February to ‘shine a light’ on a devastating brain condition.
Both Dorset County Council – which owns the bridge – and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council are lending their support to World Encephalitis Day to raise awareness of the condition, an inflammation of the brain.
Encephalitis affects 500,000 people globally each year.
The campaign, led by The Encephalitis Society, will also see other world-famous landmarks go red, including Niagara Falls; the fountains at Trafalgar Square, London; the Swan Bell Tower in Perth, Australia; The Millennium Bridge, Newcastle; Blackpool Tower; The Peace Bridge, which links the U.S.A with Canada, among other iconic landmarks.
Supporters of World Encephalitis Day are also being asked to wear items of red clothing on 22 February and share them on social media using the hashtag, #RED4WED.
Local support for the campaign follows a recent appeal by Weymouth residents Louise and Liam Briers who have warned about the dangers of encephalitis after their daughter Olivia was struck down by the condition.
Councillor Jeff Cant, Leader of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, said:
“The Weymouth and Portland community has a reputation for its generosity and for reaching out to others in need and are pleased to help with raising awareness of this devastating condition by joining other significant sites throughout the world in illuminating Weymouth Town Bridge.”
Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: “World Encephalitis Day is the most important day of the year for people who have been affected by encephalitis.
“It is the day when we all come together to make as much noise as possible about the condition as possible so we can educate the public and health professionals.
“Our hope is to illuminate as many homes, buildings and landmarks across the world as possible on 22 February and ‘shine a light on encephalitis.’”
In the UK alone, encephalitis affects 6,000 people annually – more than certain types of meningitis and motor neurone disease and yet remains less well known.
Those who survive are often left with an acquired brain injury, the consequence of which means a return to work or education can be difficult.
Encephalitis can affect abilities such as concentration, attention, thinking, memory, judgement and inhibition, while leaving a legacy of additional challenges such as epilepsy or fatigue.
Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: “Imagine waking up a completely different person – this is essentially what it can be like for some survivors of encephalitis.
“The acquired brain injury brought about by encephalitis is very much a ‘hidden disability.’ A person you know may look exactly the same, but inside it can be a different matter. And it is not just the survivor who is affected, encephalitis and its consequences also has an impact on their families, friends, work colleagues or even school friends.
“Encephalitis has a widespread and long-lasting impact which is why our aim is to make as many people as possible aware of the condition and the devastation it can leave in its wake.”
For more information, visit www.worldencephalitisday.org
NOTES FOR EDITORS
For further information, please contact Paul Compton, communications team leader and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council on 01305 838302 or email [email protected]
THE ENCEPHALITIS SOCIETY
The Encephalitis Society (www.encephalitis.info) was founded in 1994, is a registered charity and the only resource of its kind in the world providing direct support and information to people affected by encephalitis, and to their family and friends.
We receive no government funding and rely on income raised from individuals, businesses and grant-making organisations.
WORLD ENCEPHALITIS DAY
World Encephalitis Day (www.worldencephalitisday.org) on 22 February is the global awareness day for people who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis.
Founded by The Encephalitis Society in 2014, it has educated more than 20 million people about encephalitis in the past three years through media features, events and social media.
ENCEPHALITIS
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and is caused either by an infection invading the brain (infectious); or through the immune system attacking the brain in error (post-infectious / autoimmune encephalitis).
The condition is indiscriminate, striking adults and children alike, showing no respect for age, gender, ethnic origin or culture. Mortality rates are high and in those who survive many are left with an acquired brain injury, the degree and severity of which will vary. Their difficulties may include cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioural, or psychosocial consequences.
SYMPTOMS
The types of symptoms seen in encephalitis reflect the specific areas of the brain affected by the inflammation. The range of symptoms and their rate of development vary widely and can make the diagnosis of encephalitis difficult.
Infectious Encephalitis frequently begins with a ‘flu-like illness or headache. Typically more serious symptoms follow hours to days later. The most serious finding is an alteration in level of consciousness. This can range from mild confusion or drowsiness, to loss of consciousness, seizures and coma. Other symptoms include a high temperature, seizures (fits), aversion to bright lights, inability to speak or control movement, sensory changes, neck stiffness, or uncharacteristic behaviour.
In autoimmune types of encephalitis people can present with psychosis and hallucinations among other neurological presentations. Sometimes these patients can be mistakenly thought to be developing psychiatric or mental health illnesses.
For more information about encephalitis, please see the media factfile
