One dies of JE symptoms

TT, July 12: A person suffering from symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis died at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital last night.

Mongru Naik, 50, was a resident of Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district.

"Naik was suffering from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and was admitted yesterday. His condition was critical and he died late at night," he said.

Health sources generally categorise unconfirmed cases of Japanese Encephalitis as AES. Since January this year, 21 people have died either because of JE or symptoms of the disease.

"Among those who died, 14 had AES while the remaining seven had JE. While 20 others, including four children, are under treatment at present, 32 patients have been treated and discharged," a source said.

Minister Gautam Deb had visited NBMCH yesterday and held a meeting with health officials.

"The situation is not alarming but we are not ready to take any chances and have passed all necessary instructions to the health officials. Also, officials of the local civic body in Siliguri, those from the Animal Resource Development department and others concerned, have been asked to be on alert and carry out the task of cleaning and preventing pigs from roaming around in the town," he said.

"If necessary, we will again hold another meeting to ensure that there are no lapses in preventive measures and also in the treatment of patients at NBMCH," he added.

Officials of the Jalpaiguri municipality and police from Kotwali police station, today carried out a pig eviction drive and seized some pigs.