Epidemic scare as 13 in Patna suffer from chicken pox

Thirteen people, including nine children, were reported to have been afflicted with chicken pox, raising fears of an epidemic, in Kapadia Tola of Gardanibagh locality here on Sunday.

Thirteen people, including nine children, were reported to have been afflicted with chicken pox, raising fears of an epidemic, in Kapadia Tola of Gardanibagh locality here on Sunday.

Incidentally, this is the third incidence of the disease in less than a year in the area, notorious for poor unhygienic conditions.

A three-member medical team from the Gardanibagh hospital that visited the area found that toilets were scarce, sewer was overflowing, garbage strewn all around, and potable water facility almost non-existent.

Confirming the cases of chicken pox, deputy superintendent of Gardanibagh hospital Dr Manjula Rani said: “The repeated incidence of chicken pox in some cases may be due to low body immunity and unhygienic conditions in the area.”

Of the 40 people initially suspected to have been afflicted with the disease, Dr Rani confirmed that 13 had tested positive for chicken pox. Of these, nine are children in the age group of around 10 years.

Making available free medicines to patients is also a challenge, as the hospital does not have anti-viral drugs.

The medical team, which visited the area on Sunday, gave medicines for symptomatic treatment.

“I will request the civil surgeon tomorrow (Monday) to provide us anti-viral drugs, which we do not have. Today, we gave the patients medicines for symptomatic treatment. Our team will again visit the area tomorrow with drug supplies,” she added.

Being a viral infection, the disease spreads fast through droplet infection (sneezing), using common face towel and scab contact.