3 more children found encephalitis positive in Bastar
| Date :25-Jun-2019 |
The Hitavada State Bureau:
Jagdalpur/Raipur,
After a 4-year-old boy died of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) at Dimrapal Medical College Hospital in Jagdalpur, three more positive cases of JE have come to fore in Bastar district. Although, all these cases are stated to be out of danger, panic is prevailing among the villagers. Meanwhile, confidence building measures have been taken by the State Government by sending subsequent medical teams from Jagdalpur and Raipur, who’re camping in the area and carrying out tests and preliminary treatment. Meanwhile, Director of Medical Education Dr S L Adile, along with Dr Tinku Sinha from Dimrapal Medical College Hospital, have reportedly stated that medical camp was held on June 23 at village Karka in Darbha block, where seven patients were tested, of which, Mohan Mandavi (5) was found positive. Another child, Lalit (6), who had come to hospital for treatment was found positive. Another child, Pushpendra (5), a resident of village Bamaguda in Nagarnar block was also found positive. As of now, three children are undergoing treatment and are responding well and are out of danger.
D J Mazumdar HoD Microbiology in Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College, Raipur, who’s presently camping in the area, said blood samples of 20 more patients are being tested and results will be known soon. It is worth mentioning here that Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). While most infections result in little or no symptoms, occasional inflammation of the brain occurs. In these cases symptoms may include headache, vomiting, fever, confusion and seizures. This occurs about 5 to 15 days after infection.
JEV is generally spread by mosquitoes, specifically those of the Culex type. Pigs and wild birds serve as a reservoir for the virus. The disease mostly occurs outside of cities. Diagnosis is based on blood or cerebrospinal fluid testing. Prevention is generally with the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which is both safe and effective. Other measures include avoiding mosquito bites. Once infected there is no specific treatment, with care being supportive. It may be recalled that a 4-year old boy identified as Bhuneshwar alias Bhawani, son of Mangluram, a resident of village Cholnaar in Bakawand block under Bastar district, had died of Japanese Encephalitis at Dimrapal Medical College on June 21.