State health department sounds encephalitis alert in Muzaffarpur

PATNA: The state health department has put Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) at Muzaffarpur on alert following detection of five suspected cases of acute encephalitis.

SKMCH superintendent Dr Sunil Kumar Shahi said the hospital has recorded five cases of acute encephalitis since January. “An infant girl from Narsinghpur block in Sitamarhi district died in April following symptoms of acute encephalitis,” Dr Shahi said.

A 24-bed emergency intensive care unit and a paediatric intensive care unit have been set up at the hospital to tackle rising cases of acute encephalitis in Muzaffarpur and other neighbouring districts.

Dr Shahi said children below five years of age are prone to acute encephalitis during peak summer months of April, May and June. “Since cases of acute encephalitis in Muzaffarpur, Sheohar and Sitamarhi are common, the health department has asked us to stay alert,” he said.

“Those suffering from acute encephalitis complain of high fever in early morning hours, followed by tendency of giddiness and loss of appetite. At times, the patients faint due to high fever,” Dr Shahi added.

Primary health centres, district hospitals and other government medical units in Muzaffarpur and neighbouring districts have also been put on alert.

“The exact cause of the disease is still unknown. Several teams from different research institutions have visited Muzaffarpur to find out the cause of acute encephalitis, but they never reached a conclusion,” Dr Shahi said.