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Guwahati, Assam – Assam has experienced a concerning surge in Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases over the past few months, with officials reporting a significant increase compared to previous years. Since April 1, Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) has admitted 90 patients suffering from the deadly flavivirus, with 22 of these patients succumbing to the disease, officials confirmed on Friday.
Dr. Abhijit Sarma, Superintendent of GMCH, highlighted the stark rise in JE cases, noting that in 2023, a total of 54 patients were admitted for treatment. “At the moment, 40 patients are receiving care at GMCH; four of them are critically ill, while the other patients are stable. Sadly, 22 patients passed away – many of them were brought to us when their condition had worsened,” Dr. Sarma told IANS.
Dr. Sarma explained that many patients were transferred to GMCH for tertiary care after initial treatment at private hospitals, often arriving in a critically deteriorated state. “These patients’ Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were startlingly low; some of them scored as low as 3/15, which denotes a serious impairment of consciousness. This had a role in the increased death rate noted this year,” he said.
The treatment of Japanese Encephalitis poses significant challenges, as there is no direct medication to combat the infection. “Japanese Encephalitis is always treated with symptoms. Patients who have a fever are prescribed fever-reducing medicine. They receive treatment if they are having convulsions. Moreover, injections such as Mannitol are used to relieve symptoms. Twenty-three people have recovered thus far,” Dr. Sarma explained.
Dr. Sarma also emphasized the importance of early medical intervention. He urged the public to seek immediate medical attention upon the onset of symptoms such as high fever, disorientation, low consciousness, and convulsions to improve the chances of recovery.
Health officials in Assam are on high alert as they continue to monitor and respond to the increasing JE cases, urging the community to take preventive measures and stay informed about the symptoms of this severe viral infection.
