Japanese encephalitis outbreak hits Manipur

IMPHAL - With over 60 patients hospitalised with Japanese encephalitis and three deaths reported so far, authorities in Manipur are taking all precautions to contain the spread of the disease.

Health officials at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) are rapidly administering treatment to the patients pouring in with symptoms of Japanese encephalitis.

“In the beginning, we sent 27 samples to regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh. Out of 27 we have 24 positive cases, we find three of them expired due to this disease. Again we are sending another 18 samples to NICD (National Institute of Communicable Diseases) Delhi. The report is awaited,” said Y. Yaima Singh, Director, Manipur health services.

With most of the cases reported from the valley region, authorities said they have expedited the process of fumigating the affected areas.

“As soon as we realized that it has occurred in that area, we immediately rushed with the fumigation machines and we fumigate surrounding areas covering up to two-three kilometers of the diseased person,” added Singh.

The authorities have asked locals to follow various precautionary measures and maintain good standards of hygiene.

Japanese encephalitis is caused by a virus found in pigs and is spread by mosquitoes. It affects the brain and the symptoms include high fever, severe headaches and convulsions that can lead to paralysis, coma and death. (ANI)