New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) The Municipal Health Department on Thursday reported the first case of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) — viral brain infection that can lead to serious illness and death — in the national capital after 13 long years.
The disease reportedly affected a 72-year-old man from Bindapur in West Delhi. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on November 3 following chest pain.
“A case of Japanese Encephalitis has been reported from the Bindapur area under the West zone recently,” as per an order issued by the Municipal Health Office on Thursday.
“JE is a zoonotic viral disease which is caused by the JE virus. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of this disease is high and those who survive may suffer with various degrees of neurological sequelae,” the MCD noted. The virus last hit Delhi in 2011, infecting 14 people.
Dr. Harshal R Salve, Additional professor, Centre for Community medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS that “the vector born JE is transmitted by the bite of culex mosquito, which breeds on dirty water, artificial collection of water”.
“The clinical symptoms include fever, myalgia, body ache, and headache. In severe cases, the disease can cause confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and hospitalisation,” he said, adding that children are more at risk.
“The high risk among kids is due to lack of immunity,” Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.
The expert added that “farmers, labourers, or individuals working in areas near rice paddies or pig farms are also at increased risk”.
In 2024, 1,548 JE cases were reported from 24 states and Union Territories, as per data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. About 925 cases were detected in Assam alone.
Meanwhile, the MCD informed that it has started the containment measures.
It has directed “all the DHOs and epidemiologists to intensify vector control measures including larval source reduction and community-based initiatives including awareness campaigns for prevention and control of JE”.
The experts called for JE vaccination in two doses for children and for preventing mosquito bites using bed nets, mosquito repellent, etc. They also urged people to keep the surroundings clean to stop the breeding of mosquitoes; and to consult a doctor in case of unexplained fever with headache.
According to the central government guidelines, two doses of the vaccine have been a part of the Universal Immunisation Programme since 2013.
–IANS
rvt/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
