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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Sting scare in capital by Sumi Sukanya

Sting scare in capital by Sumi Sukanya

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published Published on Oct 18, 2011   modified Modified on Oct 18, 2011

Japanese encephalitis — a form of brain fever — has hit the state capital and its neighbouring areas. At least 10-12 cases of the disease are being reported at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) daily over the past few days.

Dr Nigam Prakash Narayan, a senior doctor at the paediatrics ward of the hospital, said: “About 250 patients of encephalitis have been admitted to the hospital so far. Of them, around 100 are down with Japanese encephalitis. This is apart from high number of cases registered at the government medical college in Gaya. The mortality rate of Japanese encephalitis patients is about 20-25 per cent. Thus, the disease has taken an epidemic form in the state.”

Dr Narayan said: “Most of the patients coming to the hospital are from Patna, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur and Chhapra districts. Several of them are in critical condition.”

With the number of suspected Japanese encephalitis cases on the rise, the PMCH authorities are finding it tough to cope with the pressure of patients. The health hub is running short of beds as well as medicines.

“Many Japanese encephalitis patients are lying on the floor as beds are not available. We are also running short of required medicines. Worse, there is no special arrangements for such patients though new cases are pouring in every day,” a senior officer of the hospital said.

Experts said Japanese encephalitis is caused by the bites of Culex Tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes. The symptoms of Japanese encephalitis include high fever, headache and nausea, bouts of unconsciousness or convulsions, altered sensorium or impact on sensory part of the brain, chills, confusion and agitation, rigidity of neck, lethargy and inability to talk or feel anything.

Doctors suggested people to use medicated mosquito nets and repellents to avoid getting infected. They also asked to keep rooms of children, especially infants and toddlers, spick and span.

Dr Narayan said: “It is high time the state government took up some extensive programmes like sprinkling of insecticides in affected areas to stop the menace immediately.”

Toll rises

Six persons reportedly died of Japanese encephalitis in Gaya today. With this, the toll touched 68.

State health department officials said measures were being taken to curb the spread of the disease.

“We have identified 420 villages in Gaya where malathion is sprayed to kill mosquitoes. Also, people are being advised to keep pigs away from human habitation as they act as vectors of the disease. Some stray cases are being reported from other districts as well and we are trying our best to stop the spread of the disease. It is also important that people keep their house and surroundings clean and maintain personal hygiene,” said Sanjay Kumar, the secretary of the health department.

The deputy, chief malaria officer S.K. Aman, has asked the Gaya civil surgeon to seek help of the welfare and education departments and the municipal corporations to contain the disease.

Around 308 Japanese encephalitis patients have got admitted to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital till today. The first case was reported on August 23.


The Telegraph, 18 October, 2011, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111018/jsp/bihar/story_14633942.jsp


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