It took almost one month to confirm lethal Japanese Encephalitis infection

At the time when seasonal diseases are producing challenges in front of state medical and health department, recent cases of lethal disease Japanese Encephalitis (JE) have exposed the lacunae at monitoring and testing system of diseases in the state. 

In October, Rajasthan  registered first death case due to JE, but it took 25 days to confirm that the deceased patient was infected with JE virus. 

Meanwhile, two more patients from Keshoraipatan in Bundi were infected with JE but by the time it was confirmed, both of them recovered from the disease. The disheartening fact is, that for almost 2 months they remained unattended by medical officials, within the community. In such a condition if there was no outbreak, we should thank the Almighty.

Followed by the report from National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and DNA report, published on November 13, about the first death for JE in Rajasthan a team of specialists from Jaipur, sent to Keshoraipatan, had collected 7 blood samples of JE suspects.

“Samples were sent to NIV on November 16, and report confirms that two out of them, namely Ghanshyam (80) and Bhalchandra (35), were infected with JE and other two are reported indeterminate cases,” Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur, Director (Rural Health) told DNA. 

It is worth mentioning that it took more than 20 days for confirmation of JE in blood samples, by the time Bhalchandra got recovered from the disease. Ghanshyam too has no symptoms left now but, being an old man, has been admitted to medicine ward C in Hospital of Kota Medical college. 

“Patient has no fever, headache, unconsciousness or fits like symptoms.” DR Manoj Saluja, who is taking care of Ghanshyam told DNA. 

“Sample was drawn on November 13. It seems that he was infected at that time and was lately confirmed. But since the report is positive, he has been kept under observation for next twodays,” said Dr Saluja.