Experts clueless on mysterious illness in AP

NEW DELHI: Experts are clueless on themysterious illness that has killed 79 children in Andhra Pradesh so far. Whilethe National Institute of Communicable Diseases has found three samples positivefor Japanese Encephalitis, 52 others have tested negative for thisvirus. Sources in the NICD said the tests on the three samplesindicate a recent infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus in three casesonly in Karimnagar area. As for the cause of disease in otherchildren, NICD sources said they do not have any clear answers yet although theyhave ruled out various other viral diseases such as leptospirosis, malaria,measles, mumps and Nepa virus.Director-general of the Indian Councilof Medical Research N.K. Ganguly told Times News Network, ``We do not have allthe information yet. But by tomorrow we will have more data and we will gothrough it scientifically and assess it.'''' Samples of throat swabstaken by an NICD team from the affected areas have been put for virus isolationboth at NICD in Delhi and at the National Institute of Virology in Pune, sourcessaid. It would take another ten days to get a final word on what is causing themysterious illness that has affected 148 children mainly in Karimnagar, Warangaland Krishna Nagar areas. In Karimnagar district, about 52 villages are in thegrip of this fever. Japanese encephalitis is a disease caused by avirus transmitted by a specific type of Culex mosquitoes. The virus invades thecentral nervous system , including the brain and the spinal chord. The mosquito,which is usually found in rice-growing regions or pig farming areas, transfersthe virus from infected animals, such as pigs and birds to humans.Experts in NICD said children should be rushed to a doctor as soon as they havesymptoms of fever. Early detection may increase chances of survival. Aneurological examination is being done of each case, they said. The governmenthas already initiated anti-vector programmes and malathion spraying hasstarted. The affected areas are known to be areas affected by theJapanese Encephalitis virus. The vector for transmitting the disease, amosquito, is found in these areas. Children in these areas are rapidly comingdown with symptoms of fever, diarrhoea and eventually coma. A teamof NICD which visited these areas is being assisted by the director general ofthe Indian Council of Medical Research and the director general health services.