Udupi, August 19: In Udupi district cases of Brain fever has been increased. Five cases of brain fever (japanese encephalitis) were traced from the last ten days. The health department is taking all possible measures to ensure that this disease multiply in future in the district.
One case each is traced from Kaup Innanje, Maravanthe and Saibarakatte in the district on Saturday. The infected have been admitted to ICMR in Manipal and are closely monitored by the health department. District malaria control officer, Dr H Ashok, said that a positive improvement in the health condition of patients is observed.
It is learnt that during the month of January this year, cases of brain fever had been reported from Brahmavar, Avarse and Hebri and all the three patients got cured. The patients of this disease who hailed from Mudarangady and Santhekatte also got healed later.
At present, suspected brain fever cases are being referred to Manipal, where samples of patients are tested at ICMR to detect brain fever. Ashok said that this disease had gained foothold in Mandya, Bellary, Koppal, Raichur and Kolar districts in 2000-01.It is noted that this fever may be life threatening to children if treatment is neglected.
He informed that Karnataka accounted for 90 percent of brain fever cases in the country in 2000. This disease spreads mainly through mosquitoes which bite human beings after biting migratory white birds like herons, besides domestic pigs. The scientists have found that disease can also spread from wild boars.
Symptoms: Acute headache, high fever and vomiting are the main symptoms of the disease. Instead of seeking relief through various medicines, the patients need to get admitted into hospitals.
Precautions: It should be taken care to ensure that the disease does not spread through herons which visit agricultural fields after harvesting and cleanliness of pig pens and cattle sheds is of utmost importance. Dr Ashok said that excreta of pigs should be properly disposed. It should be ensured that pits built for them do not overflow and the area needs to sprayed periodically against breeding of mosquitoes, he clarified.
