15 kids die in 20 days in Orissa’s Malkangiri

At least 15 children have died in the past 20 days in Orissa’s Malkangiri district due to suspected Japanese encephalitis ( JE). According to reports, around 30 infants are currently undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital ( DHH).

Half of them are said to be in critical condition.

The children showed symptoms of fever, vomiting and fatigue, reports said.

Responding to the situation, the state government on Tuesday sent an expert team to Malkangiri. “Of the 20 children under treatment since September 9, 15 have died due to suspected Japanese encephalitis. We had sent 31 samples to regional Medical Research Centre Bhubaneswar and of these 15 tested positive. It is absolutely viral and we are doing the best treatment with available resources,” Malkangiri additional district medical officer Sashibhusan Mohapatra said.

The district hospital authorities have started taking precautionary measures to contain the disease.

“Fogging is being done in all the affected areas. It’s too difficult to treat patients when they are brought to hospital at 11th hour. A two- member expert team from Berhampur has come to take stock of situation. They have visited the hospital today and if needed, they will make a few field trips,” Mr Mohapatra added.

The deaths have been reported from Kalimela, Pandripani and Korkunda blocks of the district which had first witnessed the incidence of acute encephalitis syndrome and JE in 2012.