Health Scare In Odisha School: No Japanese Encephalitis Virus Detected, Says Health Director

Bhubaneswar: Even as panic spread in Soro of Odisha’s Balasore district after 5 students of a residential school reportedly tested positive for Japanese Encephalitis, Public Health director has clarified that no virus of the disease has been detected in the affected persons.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Dr Niranjan Mishra, director, Public Health said there has been no confirmation of outbreak of Japanse Encephalitis at Purubai Kanyashram in Soro.

In his response to media reports that 5 girl students of the Kanysharam had tested positive for the disease after laboratory test, Dr Mishra said, “The test was conducted in Paediatric department of Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital at Balasore. The test reports mention that it is one type of viral encephalitis.”

Stating that there can be several types of viral encephalitis, he said the particular type in case of the students was yet to be confirmed.

Clarifying further, Dr Mishra said, “The test reveals that it is Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) of which Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a sub-category. Out of the samples sent for testing, some have tested positive for Immunoglobulin M (IgM). IgM is not a virus but an antibody.”

On the fear of outbreak of viral brain infection, the director said none of the students has any symptoms of neurological problem. The condition of the students who tested positive for IgM was stable and there was no reason to panic, he added.

However, as a precautionary measure, all the students having health complaint have been shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) where they are under observation.

Meanwhile, samples of 26 inmates of the residential school undergoing treatment have been sent for the test, the director said.

It may be noted that three inmates of the Kanyashram suddenly fell sick and were admitted to the hospital on Saturday. Later, 24 other inmates were also admitted to Soro hospital after they also complained of diarrhea, severe headache and nausea. During treatment, a Class X student from Dahanimara area in Nilagiri died in the hospital.

Also Read: Japanese Encephalitis Scare: 4 More School Inmates Shifted To Balasore DHH In Odisha