Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07 2010:
Confirmed death toll from suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis, which has gripped the four valley districts and Churachandpur, has reached five even as State Health Services have detected a mosquito spreading this disease through vector mapping from Naoremthong area.
Talking to The Sangai Express, Director of Health Services Dr Yaima informed that the number of people who reportedly died from suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis in the State has reached six .
However, as the identity of one of the patients could not be established, it could not be really confirmed.
Whether all the deaths are actually due to Japanese Encephalitis or not is yet to be officially confirmed as the result of the tests are still awaited, Dr Yaima said, adding that the test results are expected soon.
Officials of the NICD, New Delhi, where the tests are being conducted have also asked for more samples so as to help in confirming whether it is indeed Japanese Encephalitis or some other viral diseases, Dr Yaima disclosed.
As there is the problem on availability of diesel which is required for mass fogging exercise to neutralise the mosquitoes which are carriers of this disease, more particularly in the valley districts, the Health Services has been taking up the exercise only at selected places, Dr Yaima added.
According to another top official of the Health Services, among the samples that have been sent for testing, samples collected from the persons who have passed away from suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been included and fogging exercise is being carried out within one kilometre radius of the places where deaths have occurred and infection reported.
Divided into four groups, doctors of the Health Services have carried out vector mapping and managed to detect the mosquito breed spreading Japanese Encephalitis from Naoremthong area, the official disclosed, adding that the reagent required for diagnosis of the disease would be brought here tomorrow.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will send these reagents from Pune and diagnosis may then be conducted at JNIMS where there are microbiologists.
According to Medical Superintendent of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Dr Y Mohen, two patients who were admitted to the hospital of the Institute with suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis succumbed late in the evening yesterday.
As of now, 21 patients with similar symptoms of the disease are undergoing treatment at RIMS.
Dr Mohen further informed that most of the patients who got admitted to the hospital on July 1 and 2 have history of rearing pig either by themselves or in their surrounding.
Managing Director of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Dr Kh Palin has informed that in addition to 13 patients who were admitted for treatment with suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis, one more patient from Imphal East was admitted to the Shija Hospital today.