JE patient and two with symptoms die: death toll 37

TT, Siliguri, July 23: Three persons died of Japanese Encephalitis and symptoms of the disease at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in the past 24 hours, minister Gautam Deb said here today.

Since January, 37 people have died of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) or symptoms of the disease in north Bengal.

"There have been three deaths because of JE and AES (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) at NBMCH in the past 24 hours. There are 16 patients admitted to NBMCH and five of them are suffering from JE and 11 from AES," Deb said.

Today, the north Bengal development minister, who is also the chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and president of the governing body at NBMCH, held a review meeting with the hospital authorities.

NBMCH sources said Jab Tudu, 18, of Birpara in Alipurduar district, died of JE, Jaimangal Lohar, 60, from Banarhat, and Saraswati Sen, 22, from Bhaktinagar, both in Jalpaiguri district, died of symptoms of the disease.

Deb said NBMCH authorities were compiling a list of people with JE and its symptoms along with their addresses. "It will be indicative of where most number of cases are occurring in north Bengal and it can help the state take measures to tackle spread of the disease."

The minister said preventive measures like cleaning of NBMCH campus were being carried out by the PWD. "We have been seeing the spread of vector-borne diseases like JE, AES and dengue for the past three years. The PWD is responsible for cleaning NBMCH but we are planning to outsource the job to a private agency," Deb said. "Samir Ghosh Roy, the NBMCH principal, has requested the Siliguri mayor to assist them in cleaning drains. If the civic body provides help, it is fine. Otherwise, we will appoint a private agency."

Deb said free medicines were being given to the patients at NBMCH. "Those who were not aware and have purchased medicines from outside, will be reimbursed," he said.