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Published Date: 2011-08-20 14:35:35
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Japanese encephalitis & other - India (12): (UP, BI, NA)
Archive Number: 20110820.2532

JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS AND OTHER - INDIA (12): (UTTAR PRADESH, BIHAR,
NAGALAND)
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

In this posting:
[1] Uttar Pradesh
[2] Bihar
[3] Nagaland

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[1] Uttar Pradesh
Date: Wed 17 Aug 2011
Source: Hindustan Times, Press Trust of India (PTI) report [edited]
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Encephalitis-kills-7-more-in-Purvanchal-toll-climbs-to-148/Article1-734236.aspx

In the last 4 days, 7 persons have died due to suspected encephalitis
in the Purvanchal region of the state, taking this year's [2011] toll
to 148, health officials said. "These deaths occurred during past 4
days and 47 new patients of suspected encephalitis have been admitted
to the hospital during this period," sources in additional director
(Health)'s office said.

As many as 891 patients of brain fever have been admitted to the BRD
Medical College Hospital since January this year [2011]. At present,
there are 170 patients undergoing treatment, they said.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Unfortunately, one cannot tell if the etiologic agent in these cases
is Japanese encephalitis virus, as previously reported; undiagnosed
"acute encephalitis syndrome," also previous reported; or something
else entirely. ProMED-mail would be interested in receiving further
information as it becomes available.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of Uttar
Pradesh can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/01r4. Purvanchal is a
geographic region comprised of the eastern end of Uttar Pradesh state
and borders Nepal to the north, the state of Bihar to the east,
Bagelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh state to the south, the Awadh
region of Uttar Pradesh to the west, and the end of Doab (at
Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh to its south west. A map of the Purvanchal
region can be accessed at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UP_region_map.gif. - Mod.TY]

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[2] Bihar
Date: Tue 16 Aug 2011
Source: Sify News, Indo Asian News Service (IANS) report [edited]
http://www.sify.com/news/encephalitis-claims-55-lives-in-bihar-news-health-liqsaldgaai.html

As many as 55 people, mostly children, have died in Bihar in the last
1.5 months due to encephalitis, the Rajya Sabha [Indian Council of
States] was informed Tuesday [16 Aug 2011]. Health and Family Welfare
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said clinical and epidemiological data
suggests that it was an outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome
resulting in 150 cases and 55 deaths, mostly among children.

In a written reply, the minister said these cases were reported early
June to middle July [2011]. He said cases of encephalitis, a rare
brain inflammation caused by a virus, were reported from Muzaffarpur
and its bordering areas in Bihar. Azad said rapid response teams
(RRTs) consisting of experts in epidemiology, entomology,
microbiology, and medicine have been trained and positioned at
district, state, and central levels to mount rapid response to disease
outbreaks. He said RRTs at central level are dispatched to affected
areas as and when the need arises to support local health authorities
in prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of outbreak-prone
diseases.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The proportion of individuals in this area who are immunized against
JE virus is not stated in this or the previous report. The etiology of
the "acute encephalitis syndrome" mentioned above remains unknown.
Until the etiology of these cases is established, implementation of
preventive measures will not be possible.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail map showing the location of Bihar state in
can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/18Od. - Mod.TY]

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[3] Nagaland
Date: Fri 19 Aug 2011
Source: New Kerala [edited]
http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-51064.html

Altogether 5 persons have been killed in the dreaded Japanese
encephalitis so far in Nagaland, Chief Medical Officer of Dimapur
Civil Hospital Dr Sukhato A Sema said today. He said that 23 people
were detected to be suffering from the disease.

The CMO also advised to avail the Japanese encephalitis [virus]
vaccination free of cost from Japanese Encephalitis Sentinel
Surveillance Site Laboratory at the District Hospital, here.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Japanese encephalitis virus infections are being diagnosed widely in
northeastern India. One hopes that people in the areas where the
cases are occurring will take advantage of the free vaccination
program.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the location of
Nagaland in far eastern India can be accessed at
http://healthmap.org/r/19IC. - Mod.TY]

See Also