One more child dies of encephalitis in Allahabad

One more boy suffering from viral encephalitis has died at the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital here.

One more boy suffering from viral encephalitis has died at the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital while four new suspected cases of encephalitis have been admitted to the Sarojini Naidu Children's Hospital here.

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Besides two kids of the Children's Hospital, who suddenly became serious, were taken away by their guardians on Sunday against medical advice. The doctors suspect that they might have died. These two hospitals are daily receiving two to five suspected encephalitis cases.

According to hospital sources, resident of Janghai near Phulpur, 15-year-old Rajesh died at the SRN Hospital on Sunday due to viral encephalitis fever. Son of Munna, he was admitted to Ward 8, about three days back. He had been in an unconscious state for the last two days. On Sunday, however, his condition suddenly became serious.

The two children, Chandu (6) and Santosh Kumar (8), admitted to the SN Children Hospital on Sunday, were taken away by their guardians from the hospital against medical advice. Their condition had become serious and they were put on artificial respiration through Ambu bags. The doctors believe that these two kids might have also died since very few hospitals in Allahabad are having ventilator facility. Chandu was a resident of Sonbhadhra whereas Santosh Kumar had come from Basehata, Pratappur.

Meanwhile due to poor coordination between the Microbiology Department, SRN Hospital and SN Children's Hospital, for the last two days JE tests are not being performed at the Microbiology Department.

The Head of Microbiology Department, MLN Medical College, Dr Anudita Bhargava said they have already purchased a sufficient number of JE testing kits. But very few samples were coming from the hospitals probably due to some confusion about the availability, she said.