It is reported that viral encephalitis has been broken out in Bihar with a death toll of 82 children. Several people are affected with this disease and it is confirmed that the causative virus is Japanese Encephalitis virus. The virus belongs to flaviviruses group. This group contains about 66 strains of viruses each producing different type of symptoms. Japanese encephalitis virus is mainly neurologic in nature attacking the meninges, brain and the spinal cord. Infection spreads from person to person through the bite of culex mosquitoes. The virus enters the affected person through the saliva of the mosquito. The virus is prevalent in many parts of Asiatic countries like China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia and south East Asia. Birds and pigs act as reservoirs of the virus and multiply acting as a source of spread of the disease. Therefore control of the disease poses a problem.
When once the disease enters into the body through the bite of the mosquito it takes nearly 15 days to produce the disease symptoms. In about 1 in 200 cases it will not show any symptoms.
Symptoms of the disease:
- High fever
- Head ache, general malaise, Weakness
- Stiff neck, confusion and sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Development of increased refluxes, seizers, personality changes
- Paralysis of limbs
- Loss of consciousness ultimately leading to coma and death
- In recovered patients there is high risk of brain damage
Diagnosis of the disease:
The disease can be diagnosed by testing blood samples and spinal fluid. Magnetic resonance imaging can be done to study the extent of infection in the brain.
Treatment:
Symptomatic treatment is only done by giving pain killers and fluids intravenously. Mild forms of the disease resolve of its own accord and do not need extensive treatment. Infants need special care and treatment as the disease is severe in them.
Preventive measures:
Prevention is best done by eradicating the mosquitoes and preventing the bites. Vaccination is available and in endemic areas vaccinations can be done to control the disease. It is recommended that tourists travelling to south East Asian countries to undergo vaccination to get immunized.