Guwahati, August 2, 2024 — The state of Assam is facing a worrying surge in Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases, with Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) leading the fight against the deadly flavivirus. Since April 1, 2024, GMCH has admitted 90 JE patients, resulting in 22 deaths.
Dr. Abhijit Sarma, Superintendent of GMCH, reported a significant rise in JE cases this year compared to last year. “Last year, we admitted 54 patients. This year, the number has risen sharply,” Dr. Sarma stated. “Currently, 40 patients are undergoing treatment at GMCH, four of whom are in critical condition. Sadly, 22 patients have died, many of whom were in the terminal stages of the disease when they arrived.”
A notable number of patients initially sought treatment at private hospitals before being transferred to GMCH for tertiary care, arriving in severely compromised conditions. Dr. Sarma noted that several patients had alarmingly low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, some as low as 3/15, indicating severe impairment of consciousness. This significantly contributed to the higher mortality rate observed this year.
Dr. Sarma highlighted the challenges of treating Japanese Encephalitis, emphasizing the lack of curative medicine for the virus. “Treatment for Japanese Encephalitis is symptomatic. We manage symptoms as they arise – fever, convulsions, and so on. Injections like Mannitol are administered to provide symptomatic relief. So far, 23 patients have recovered,” he explained.
The surge in JE cases at GMCH underscores the severity of the outbreak in Assam, raising concerns among health authorities. Efforts to contain the virus are being intensified with heightened vigilance and measures to combat its spread. The outbreak highlights the critical need for robust healthcare infrastructure and preparedness to handle such public health emergencies.
Health authorities urge the public to take preventive measures, including using mosquito repellents and maintaining proper sanitation to reduce the risk of JE transmission. The situation remains dynamic with evolving challenges, and ongoing efforts to control the outbreak and mitigate its impact on the population persist.
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