AES claims one more life, death toll reaches 190

AES has claimed one more life in the Muzaffarpur district taking the death toll to 190. Seven new patients infected with AES have been admitted until 10 pm on Tuesday.

Muzaffarpur: The number of children died of the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur and the surrounding districts of Bihar have reached 190 as another child died on late Tuesday night.

At the same time, seven new patients infected have been admitted to a local hospital.

AES, known as 'chamki' in local parlance, is characterised by high fever and convulsions and strikes children in north Bihar every year.

Due to extensive heat and humidity in Muzaffarpur and its adjoining areas, children are highly exposed to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. According to government reports, the relatively higher number of deaths this year have been attributed to hypoglycemia or very low blood sugar levels.

What is Acute Encephalitis Syndrome?

AES is defined as inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the brain. Most of the victims are between the age group of 1 to 10 years. AES is mostly seen from April to June among children who are undernourished. The inflammation is caused by an infection invading the brain due to bacteria, fungi or parasites, chemicals, toxins and non-infectious agents.

• Symptoms:

- High Fever
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Confusion
- Stiff neck and back
- Nausea
- Personality changes
- Problems with speech or hearing
- Hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Drowsiness
- In severe cases seizures, paralysis and coma

• Treatment:

- Children suffering from AES need care in ICU.

- Timely record of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and body fluids to prevent further swelling of the brain.

- Doctors provide Corticosteroids and Antiviral drugs to reduce swelling in the brain. Anticonvulsants might be given to a child having seizures.

- Acetaminophen medicine can help with fever and headaches.

- The patient is also given anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce headaches and temperature.

- Healthy food and glucose in the form of sweets after meals must be provided to the patient.

• Points to remember:

1. Avoid children coming in contact with contaminated water.
2. Keep the surroundings clean to avoid insects like mosquitoes and flies.
3. Avoid direct contact with sunlight.
4. Patients must be taken to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and hospitals for treatment.

• Prevention:

Government of India has approved two doses of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine, one to be given along with measles at the age of 9 months and the second with DPT booster at the age of 16-24 months, as prevention for AES.