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

Balasore: After five students of a residential school at Soro in Odisha’s Balasore reportedly tested positive for Japanese Encephalitis (JE), four more inmates were shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) as their condition worsened.

Fear of the viral brain infection gripped the area after five students of Purubai Kanyashram at Soro were found positive for JE on Monday. The five girls along with some other inmates were immediately shifted to the DHH for treatment, sources said.

Samples of 26 inmates of the residential school undergoing treatment had been sent for the test of which five samples returned positive for Japanese Encephalitis, a viral brain infection caused by mosquito bites. 

Thereafter, the condition of four other students who were being treated at Soro hospital deteriorated on Monday night. They were also shifted to the DHH, they said.

It may be noted that three inmates of the Kanyashram suddenly fell sick and were admitted to the hospital. Later, 24 other inmates were also admitted to Soro hospital after they also complained of diarrhea, severe headache and nausea. 

During treatment, a Class 10 student from Dahanimara area in NIlagiri died on Saturday in the hospital.

Later, family members of the deceased girl alleged that the Kanyashram officials did not inform them about the death in time. 

It may be recalled here that a severe outbreak of JE and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) with high case fatality was reported from Malkangiri district of the state in 2016 causing many deaths.