Nagaland: 11 cases of Japanese Encephalitis reported

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Aug. 9 (EMN): Eleven cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) -- four in Dimapur, three in Peren, two from Mokokchung and one each from Wokha and Mon -- have been reported in Nagaland till Monday, August 8.

District Victor Borne Disease consultant, Dimapur, Peter Sangtam informed they have tested 38 individuals for JE virus out of which 11 returned positive.

Further, he said there are currently eight positive patients for JE in Nagaland while one patient comes under Assam jurisdiction (Borlengri).

One patient from Mokokchung, who was admitted at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) in January, passed away; while another patient from Peren also died last week. He was around 80 years and had other ailments, he stated.

As of now, one patient has recovered while the remaining are under treatment, he said and added that some of the patients have been discharged from the hospital and were on home medication.

Sangtam said they usually receive most of the samples from CIHSR and Zion hospital for confirmatory test of JE.

The health official informed that samples of patients testing positive in private hospitals through rapid test are sent to District Hospital Dimapur in the form of serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and confirmatory test for JE virus is conducted through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.

Sangtam added that whenever they detect positive cases, the entomological teams will inspect the area to see if JE virus carrying mosquitoes are still present, following which they fog the location.

The team further gives direction and information communication behavioral change (ICBC) advice to the patients on how to cope with the situation.

While asked about dengue cases in Dimapur, Sangtam informed that so far no cases of dengue have been detected in Dimapur. Meanwhile, Nodal officer in Mokokchung, Dr. Sunep informed that Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital Mokokchung has not registered any cases of dengue this year.

Chief medical officer (CMO) Longleng, Dr. Obangjungla also said that no cases were reported in Longleng District Hospital, and the same was reported at Peren and Wokha District Hospitals, according to health officials.

Meanwhile, in view of the detection of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and dengue cases in the state, the State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme has also issued the following advisory to the public to spread awareness and practice the prevention of dengue and JE.

Symptoms of JE:  Acute onset of fever and a change in mental status

Prevention:

• Preventive measures like mosquito nets and other mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito bites.
• Do not let stagnant water collect in and around your home since mosquito breed in them.
• Rear pigs in enclosures and away from human habitat. Pigs play an important role in JE, as JE virus multiplies in pigs without suffering from disease and maintain the virus for a long time.
• Immunise your child against Japanese Encephalitis (contact your nearest hospital for details)
• In case you or someone exhibit JE symptoms, contact the nearest hospital.

Symptoms of dengue: High fever, headache, joint and muscular pain, nausea, skin rash, fatigue

Prevention:

• Get rid of stagnant water from places where mosquito breed, such as old containers, flower pots, used tyres etc.
• Keep water-filled vessels and tanks tightly covered.
• Wear clothes that cover the complete body.
• Sleep under mosquito net preferably insecticide treated (LLIN) during day and night time.
• Immediately consult a doctor in case of high fever.