Monsoon brings water-borne acute encephalitis syndrome in North Bengal

EOI, SILIGURI, 11 Jul 2015: Heavy monsoon rain has revived the fear of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in the region. Eight out of the 18 admitted to North Bengal Medical College since the first week of July have died of AES and experts warn that if preventive measures are not taken immediately, the disease may assume menacing form in the rainy season.

AES is water borne disease, which is 100% preventable with safe drinking water, proper sanitation and maintenance of hygienic conditions. Most of victims belong to rural areas, which are in pathetic condition and lack safe drinking water and sanitation facility.
"AES is entro-viral in nature and passes into human being through contaminated water and unhygienic surroundings. Children up to age group of 15 are susceptible to this deadly disease. It is 100% preventable." AES becomes horrifying in monsoon, said a NBMCH official.

Sanitary situation in the North Bengal region, particularly in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri is in bad shape. The entire area is full of small handpumps and piles of garbage and choked drains.

As many as 18 patients from Malda, Mathbanga, Jalpaiguri, and Siliguri are reported in the medical college since the beginning of July and 8 of them died. While five of the victims were diagnosed to have been inflicted with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, three others fell to Japanese Encephalitis, said North Bengal Medical College and Hospital's Vice Principal and Medical Superintendent Nirmal Bera.

AES is still posing threat in front of the area. "We need to have a separate awareness programmes for AES and JE. Every year, two to three thousand children die. We also need to focus on preventive steps as AES could be controlled 100% with the clean drinking water and proper sanitation program. With proper," added Bera.

Further, eight fresh positive cases of encephalitis was reported in three districts - Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Darjeeling on Tuesday. One of the patients is from Assam.