US-based Atlanta Institute may help solve Bihar mystery disease: Harsh Vardhan

The Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today that Atlanta-based CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will be requested to help in the Bihar encephalitis case. They are requested to t

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: June 22, 2014 12:56 pm

The Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today that Atlanta-based CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will be requested to help in the Bihar encephalitis case. They are requested to test theblood samples of children affected by AES (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome), which has taken the death toll to 130 in Bihar. Mr Vardhan told reporters ‘This encephalitis disease in Bihar is still a mystery to be solved. We are unaware about the exact cause of the disease. I will request the world-famous CDC institute based in Atlanta to test the blood samples of the infected children and find out the reasons behind it. Our Indian scientists are also working on the samples to come out with the cause of the disease.’ (Read: Bihar to have its 1st encephalitis immunization campaign) Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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‘The Union government will provide all help to Bihar to tackle Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. A two-day special immunisation programme will be conducted on June 22 and 23 in the affected districts. If malnutrition is a reason, it will also be removed,’ Vardhan said. A majority of children who died of AES were from Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Vaishali and Bhagalpur districts. Cases were also recorded in Samastipur, Begusarai and Khagaria districts. (Read: Bihar encephalitis update: 92 children dead) Also Read - Miscommunication may block natural healing cycle, finds study

In the absence of the identification of virus, bacteria or agents causing the deadly disease having a death rate of 26 per cent, doctors at their best could provide only symptomatic treatment to patients. The symptoms varied from high fever, body ache, stiffness of limbs to meningitis and coma. Usually, the syndrome affected malnourished children with very low sugar levels and plummeting levels of electrolyte in the body. (Read: B ihar encephalitis update: Parents now pray for a miracle)

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is a disease that results in inflammation of the brain. The patient’s central nervous system is affected. While the lesser symptoms include headaches and fevers, the more severe ones cause the onset of mental issues like seizures, confusion, disorientation, tremors and hallucinations. It can be caused due to bacterial or viral infections of the brain, injection of toxic substances or increased complications of an infectious disease. (Read:Disease trends in India)

With inputs from PTI

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Published : June 22, 2014 12:51 pm | Updated:June 22, 2014 12:56 pm

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