Bengal Govt. takes preventive measures to tackle encephalitis

The West Bengal Government has taken preventive measures after three people died due to Japanese encephalitis in the state.

Three deaths were reported from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri district.

The disease, which is spreading slowly across other provinces, has claimed more than 50 lives in West Bengal.

However, NBMCH said the situation was under control.

"The latest situation is that the problem is under control now, with less number of patients coming. Yesterday and today only three patients got admitted and three previously admitted are dead. They had Japanese Encephalitis and the boy had been tested negative," said superintendent at NBMCH, Doctor Amarendra Nath Sarkar.

At present, the hospital has 36 patients admitted due to encephalitis.

Earlier, Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) spread bleaching powders, conducted fogging at the piggeries and held awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said leaves of doctors and other medical staff were cancelled and a 'remove pigs movement' has been started.

"We have cancelled all leaves of all those in medical services in North Bengal till the time the situation gets better. We have also decided to start 'Remove Pigs movement' starting from Kolkata Corporation to all the municipalities. We have banned unhygienic rearing and it will be applied with immediate effect," said Banerjee in Howrah district.

Encephalitis which is an acute inflammation of the brain can de due to both viral and bacterial infections. Japanese encephalitis, which is caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, is more prevalent in the region than other forms of the illness.

Symptoms include high fever, convulsion and frigidity around the neck area. There is no specific treatment for the disease as yet.

The virus affects membranes around the brain and usually causes mild symptoms, but can lead to high fever, brain damage, coma and death. It is the leading cause of childhood encephalitis and viral encephalitis in Asia.