Jamshedpur: Alert over suspected cases of Japanese encephalitis and swine flu

Jamshedpur, March 26: East Singhbhum district health office has issued a Japanese encephalitis and Swine Flu alert in the city and its outskirts after confirmation of one Japanese encephalitis (JE)  case and two swine flu.

The health official said that as per protocol of the health department they have issued a health alert and sent letters to all the 30 private and government hospitals in the city and its outskirts to monitor patients with encephalitis symptoms and inform for sample collection within 24 hours in the event of any fresh case.

Japanese encephalitis is caused by flavivirus, carried by the Culex mosquito, and affects the membranes around the brain.Most Japanese encephalitis virus infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately one in 200 infections is characterised by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and death.

“The Culex thrives in stagnant freshness and people must not allow the same at home or outside. Puddles and clogged drains must be reported for quick action. We will be searching for accumulation of water in abandoned containers and air-coolers and destroying the abandoned containers. Simultaneously, spraying of anti-larvicides would also be held at the identified localities from tomorrow,” said the official.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) , the viral disease caused by a flavivirus that infects animals and humans, is on the rise in the city. In the last 48 hours several cases of JE have come to the light forcing the health officials here to remain vigilant and pursue its cleaning drive on war-footing in the worst malaria affected areas. 

JE is a disease caused by a flavivirus. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and, in humans, causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain.

Most JE virus infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 200 infections results in severe disease characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and death.

According to the reports, three JE cases have come to light but health officials are not ready to confirm the same, as yet. “We are waiting for the records to reach civil surgeon’s office,” said an official when asked about the casualty toll.