ASIA/INDIA - In the north of the India 400 die of Japanese encephalitis lethal in 25% of cases, permanent neuropshchiatric consequences in 30% of cases

Friday, 2 September 2005

Rome (Fides Service) - The death of 21 more people in an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis over the past few days brings to 400 the total number of deaths due to this disease in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Encephalitis causes inflamation of the membranes surrounding the brain and is carried by mosquitoes.
Since the first cases of this disease which affects the brain and spinal chord were registered in July in Uttar Pradesh 1,483 people, mostly children under 14 have been admitted to hospital
The ares most affected are Maharganj, where 94 people have died, followed by Gorakhpur with 77 deaths and Kushinagar with 64. In the past week 97 new cases have been registered in Gorakhpur and in the village of Basti.
As the number of deaths rises there is growing concern. Cases have been registered in western Nepal.
The Indian ministry of health says it has sent 200,000 mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide to the affected areas to protect the people from insect carriers of various diseases including malaria, which is widespread in the monsoon season, especially in poor areas where health conditions are precarious.(AP) (2/9/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:22; Parole:249)


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