NBMCH reports more ‘encephalitis’ deaths

SNS, Siliguri, 16 July 2014: As more patients suffering from fever flock the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) here, doctors today said the 25 patients who died in the past few days all had ‘encephalitis syndrome.’

Two more patients died of acute ‘encephalitis syndrome’ this morning, taking the toll to four persons in the past 24 hours. According to sources, some children died of the same disease in the past two weeks and around 10 are undergoing treatment in the pediatrics ward.

“The number of fever patients is growing and they are pouring in from different districts in north Bengal and Assam. We are trying to provide the best treatment to the patients. More than 25 patients have died of encephalitis syndrome, while 13 cases have been diagnosed as Japanese encephalitis, which killed one of the patients,” said NBMCH superintendent Dr Amarendranath Sarkar.

However, compounding matters at the hospital is the MRI machine that has not been working for the past four days. Sources said the machine is used to confirm encephalitis in patients. They said the NBMCH is awaiting a “part” of the machine for replacement.

The NBMCH authority, has, however, so far failed to confirm how many patients died of confirmed encephalitis.

NBMCH sources said the death toll was higher than the official reports.

A relative of a patient, Sushil Roy, who has come from Bangaigaon in Assam, said Purna Roy, the patient has been suffering from high fever.

“He was admitted here last Friday. We do not know what actually has happened to him. We are very much worried,” he said.

A resident of Cooch Behar, Bishnu Barman, said his father Kalin Barman was admitted with high fever in the NBMCH.

According to the NBMCH sources, the person who died of Japanese encephalitis hailed from Dhubri in Assam.

Doctors said the patients exhibit symptoms such as high fever, headache and vomiting, while they lose consciousness at a later stage.

They added that the Culex mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the disease among humans from pigs and water fowls.