Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Seven cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) have been reported in state, prompting health officials to sound the alarm.
The affected areas include Gwalior (3 cases), Rajgarh (2 cases), and Rewa (2 cases). This marks a worrying rise in number of infections linked to the deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The health department is grappling with the ongoing spread of JE, a disease caused by Culex Tritaeniorhynchus mosquito. While the virus is non-communicable and does not spread through human contact, it is a serious threat, especially following the surge of other vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
In the past six years, Madhya Pradesh has reported 295 JE cases and 10 deaths. The latest victim, a 15-year-old girl from Gwalior, has been hospitalised in critical condition. She suffered from symptoms of vomiting, severe headaches, and high fever.
Medical teams are closely monitoring her condition at the Jaya Arogya Hospital, a multi-specialty facility in Gwalior.
Health Commissioner Tarun Rathi said that doctors have been instructed to take all necessary preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus. The state has also increased vigilance, with local authorities monitoring the situation closely and ensuring that peopleare informed about safety practices.
Japanese Encephalitis, a flavivirus related to dengue, is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites. Health experts recommend using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds to reduce the risk of infection.
