JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS & OTHER – INDIA (04): (ASSAM)
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Wed 10 Jul 2024
Source: The Sentinel [edited]
https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/japanese-encephalitis-outbreak-triggered-in-sivasagar-due-to-floods
In a worrying sign, Assam’s Sivasagar district has reportedly
witnessed an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE). This deadly
disease has purportedly caused 3 fatalities, and 12 people have been
affected by it and are currently undergoing treatment.
In addition, 13 more individuals are suffering from encephalitis-like
symptoms, though these cases are yet to be confirmed.
Health department officials from the district stated that Sivasagar
has seen a surge in mosquito breeding of late due to the prevailing
flood conditions, as a result of which the risk of infection looms
large.
To prevent encephalitis from spreading any further, the health
department has decided to apply spray around the residences of
diagnosed patients and flood-affected areas to curb mosquito
breeding.
Special measures, such as distributing ORS packets to flood victims
through ASHA workers to prevent diseases like diarrhea, have also been
implemented.
Efforts are also underway to medicate people in various locations so
as to shield them from Japanese encephalitis.
Notably, Japanese encephalitis happens to be a viral brain infection
that spreads through mosquito bites. This nefarious virus is found in
pigs and birds and is passed on to mosquitoes when they bite infected
animals.
No cure exists for this particular disease, and its treatment is
focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient
to overcome the infection.
Mosquitoes, most specifically those classified as Culex species,
have been known to transmit Japanese encephalitis. This viral
infection can potentially be fatal and impacts the central nervous
system resulting in various manifestations ranging from mild flu-like
symptoms to severe complications including brain inflammation.
Meanwhile, earlier this month [July 2024] a Japanese encephalitis case
was detected from Deomali in Arunachal’s Tirap district [see Japanese
encephalitis & other – India (03): (AR)
http://promedmail.org/post/20240708.8717444%5D.
A class IX student of St. George School experienced headaches and
general weakness, according to parents of the patient. Initially, the
patient was treated at a private pharmacy. As the condition of the
patient worsened, he was taken to a hospital in Sonari, Assam and
subsequently to Dibrugarh for further investigation.
Laboratory diagnosis at Dibrugarh confirmed Japanese encephalitis via
an ELISA test. The patient, whose condition had deteriorated, was
shifted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital.