Japanese Encephalitis claims 15 lives in Malkangiri

Bhubaneswar: The State government on Monday sent an expert team to Malkangiri district after 15 children died due to suspected Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in the past 20 days in the district.

While around 30 infants are currently undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital (DHH), condition of half of them is stated to be critical. The children showed symptoms like fever, vomiting and fatigue.

“Out of 20 children under treatment since 9th September here, 15 have died due to suspected Japanese Encephalitis. We had sent 31 samples to regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Bhubaneswar and of these 15 tested positive. It is absolutely viral and we are doing the best treatment with available resources,” Malkangiri ADMO Sashibhusan Mohapatra said.

Meanwhile hospital authorities have started taking precautionary measures to contain the disease.

“Fogging is being done in all the affected areas. Its too difficult to treat a patient when it is brought to hospital at 11th hour.... A two member expert team from Berhampur has come to take stock of situation. They have visited the hospital today and if needed, they will make a field trip tomorrow,” Mohapatra added.

The deaths have been reported from Kalimela, Pandripani and Korkunda blocks of the district which had first witnessed the incidence of acute encephalitis syndrome and JE in 2012.