2019 Bihar encephalitis outbreak
Date | 1 June – 20 September 2019 |
---|---|
Location | Muzaffarpur and adjoining districts, Bihar, India |
Type | Encephalitis |
Cause | Unclear |
Deaths | 161 |
In June 2019, an
History
Outbreaks of
Outbreak
In June 2019, an outbreak of AES occurred in 222 blocks of Muzaffarpur and the adjoining districts in Bihar.[2][5]
As a result of the outbreak, total 154 children died in first three weeks of June 2019.[6] A total of 440 cases of AES were admitted to hospitals in these three weeks.[4] At least 85 children of them died at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), the largest state-operated hospital in Bihar, while at least 18 children died at the Kejriwal Matrisadan, a trust-run hospital, in these weeks.[4][7] Most of them were aged between 1 and 10 years.[8][9][10]
In subsequent months of July, August and September; at SKMCH; 30, 18 and at least 12 cases were reported. Total 647 cases of AES including 161 deaths were reported between 1 June and 20 September 2019.[11]
Syndrome
The term
Cause
The cause of the outbreak is unclear.[17][18]
AES can be caused by different microorganisms including virus, bacteria, fungi, parasites and
High temperature, humidity, malnutrition, poor hygiene and lack of awareness are known aggravating factors of AES.
The region is the largest producer of lychee fruits in India. A 2014 study published in Lancet found that the methylene cyclopropyl acetic acid and hypoglycin A found in unripe lychee (Litchi chinensis) fruit can cause hypoglycemia and cited them as plausible cause of AES outbreaks. A diet heavy on unripe lychee fruits without having an otherwise full meal later in the day may put malnourished children at risk of hypoglycemia.[6][15][2][21][20] Others disputed the findings citing the unlikeliness of very large consumption of unripe lychee fruits, lack of cases in healthy, well-nourished children and many other pediatric illnesses causing hypoglycemia.[24][20][23] Health officials reported that most of the victims suffered severe hypoglycemia.[25][26]
The hospitals and primary health centres lacked the required facilities to treat children.[4]
Government response
The Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh (US$5,000) to the next of the kin of the children who died from AES.[10][8] He also visited the hospital and ordered the expansion of the hospital.[7][27]
The union minister of health
The Supreme Court ordered the Bihar government to file an affidavit to show the competence of medical facilities and other hygiene conditions in the state in the wake of the deaths.[29]
The
Aftermath
Total 872 cases of encephalitis including 176 deaths were reported in Bihar in 2019.[30]
See also
References
- ^ from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ ISSN 1486-8008. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "India - Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar (DG ECHO, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 17 June 2019) - India". ReliefWeb. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ PMID 31526729.
- ^ a b "Nitish Kumar Visits Encephalitis Ground Zero, "Go Back" Cry Protesters". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "100 Children Die Of Encephalitis In 16 Days In Bihar's Muzaffarpur". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- ^ "Acute Encephalitis Syndrome strikes north Bihar again, 2 children dead". www.downtoearth.org.in. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ PMID 27721580.
- ^ PMID 23278779.
- ^ a b "Encephalitis in India kills more than 90 children". BBC. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- ^ PMID 28153514.
- PMID 31802811.
- ^ a b "India encephalitis death toll rises to 103". 18 June 2019. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ S2CID 195699211.
- PMID 12415078.
- ^ a b c d e "Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) explained: Definition, cause, and its contrary theories". The Indian Express. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "Litchi Toxins, Malnutrition or Heat Wave? Doctors Explain What's Causing Deadly AES Epidemic in Bihar". News18. 18 June 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "India's heatwave turns deadly". Al Jazeera. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ a b "'It's absurd to blame litchi for AES, malnourishment the real cause'". www.downtoearth.org.in. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Is Litchi the Real Culprit Behind 1995's Mysterious Muzaffarpur Child Deaths?". The Wire. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Encephalitis kills more than 100 children in India's Bihar state". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ Ramashankar, Mr. (17 June 2019). "Encephalitis: 20 more kids die in 24 hours, Bihar encephalitis toll hits 93". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Muzaffarpur Deaths: CM Calls for Hospital Expansion, Toll at 109". The Quint. 18 June 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Bihar encephalitis deaths: Harsh Vardhan constitutes high-level multi-disciplinary team to monitor patients, find cause of viral disease". Firstpost. 18 June 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Encephalitis deaths: SC directs Centre, Bihar govt to file response within 7 days". 24 June 2019.
- ^ "176 died in Bihar due to Acute Encephalitis this year, 872 cases reported". The Asian Age. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2020.