Imphal, July 10: Out of six female and two males admitted at Shija Hospital and Research Institute, Langol for treatment of suspected Japanese Encephalitis cases three persons, including two women failed to response to medications.

The remaining five are reported to be in serious condition at the same institute due to the disease also known as Viral Encephalitis.

Inspite of the casualties and gravity of the situation official intimation from the Institute authority to State Health Directorate for sending the collected blood samples and proposal for red alert declaration of affected areas failed to evoke positive response on ground that the Institute in privately run, added press source.

The blood samples of persons suspected to be infected with the disease were supposed to be verified at the Kolkata NIC.

Interacting with reporters are the Langol Institute today afternoon the chairman cum managing director Dr Kh Palin said the eight patients with suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis were admitted at the Institute last week.

The first to arrive at the Institute were one 13 year old girl from Nagaram area and a 50 year old woman from Wangkhei Tokpam Leikai.

The two were soon joined by six others with similar infections.

As three out of the eight persons succumbed to the suspected disease three others are currently placed under strict vigil at the Intensive Care Unit of the Institute where condition of one woman is more serious as she could not even speak, narrated Dr Palin.

Among the patients presently under care of the Institute include a brother and sister from Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi area.

Other patients who have been administered oxygen are from Keikhu, Soibam Leikai, Irom Meijrao and Chakpikarong areas, Dr Palin informed while opining that these areas need to be declared red alert and thorough checking and preventive measures conducted at the earliest.

He also advocated measures like prevention from mosquito bites at all cost as Manipur is highly susceptible to outbreak of such diseases especially during the rainy seasons.

Informing that neither precise proof could be furnished on the infection being related to mosquito bites like Japanese Encephalitis nor are curative medicines available, Dr Palin advised for resting the suspected patient and immediate consultation with medical personnel.

Dr P Narendra of the Institute joining the press briefing explained that Japanese Encephalitis spreads when a person bitten by mosquito gets infection at the cells of the central nervous systems through a virus.

He also detailed that about 56 persons have died some years back bearing similar symptoms as Japanese Encephalitis.

Meanwhile, the Institute has circulated an awareness guideline containing information on the transition of the disease from animal to man through mosquito bites from a particular type.

On symptoms of the disease it says infected per- sons would complain of fever and headache in milder case while for severe type the vital signs are rapid onset, headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, spastic paralysis, flaccid paralysis (rare) and occasional convulsions in case of children.

The infection could lead to paralysis, seizures, coma or death, informs the precautionary leaflet.

Regarding preventive measures, it suggests protective clothing like long shirts and pants, use of mosquito nets and insect repellents to prevent bites.

Viral encephalitis vaccine is recommended for persons residing in areas where the disease is endemic or epidemic, the guideline emphasized.

On rare cases of recovery from the infection the patient nevertheless are likely to suffer shaking, paralysis, inability to control emotions, loss of mental abilities, physical movement constraints, mental disturbances etc.

Meanwhile, taking note of reported outbreak of strange epidemic that claimed five lives at Bishnupur district area, State Epidemiologist Dr Th Biren and State Malaria Officer Dr Dhaballo have rushed to the district and studied history of the deceased persons from the District Hospital there.

Three out of the five deceased persons had records of admission at the district hospital while no records of two could be traced, according to Dr Biren.

The deaths occurred in late June and July.

One of the deceased was admitted at the Bishnupur District Hospital on June 30 he was discharged the next day only to be rushed to JN Hospital where he breathed his last.

The second deceased was also referred from the same district hospital to JN on June 29 with suspected viral encephalitis and third to RIMS on July 2.two persons, including a woman were referred for further treatment at JN Hospital but both succumbed to suspected viral encephalitis and hepatitis infections, he added.

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