Deadly disease infects locals in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur, Sep 9(ANI): The number of locals infected with encephalitis has crossed 1,100 in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district.

Several patients have been admitted to the city's Baba Raghav Das Medical College.

Talking to mediapersons, Rudal Yadav, a family member of encephalitis-infected patient, said that his child was suffering for the past 11 days and his health was still critical.

He also said that the condition of the hospital was deplorable and more than three patients were being accommodated on a single bed.

"Since this disease called Encephalitis broke out, the situation in the hospital has gone out of hand. In fact, more than three patients are sleeping on one bed. Some are sleeping on the floor. We are facing a lot of problems. Some medicines are available here, remaining have to be purchased from other places," said Yadav.

According to media reports, over 7,000 people have died of encephalitis in the last 32 years at the Gorakhpur Medical College Hospital.

Doctors said that the numbers of patients infected with encephalitis continues to increase.

"About 1,100 patients have been admitted here. Our hospital could not save about 215 children. About 40 patients are admitted everyday. There are some days when there are more patients, but about 40 are admitted on a daily basis," said K.P.Kushwaha, doctor, Baba Raghav Das Medical College.

Encephalitis is caused by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water. Therefore, it is important to maintain cleanliness with an aim to prevent the disease from spreading

The state health department has reportedly taken preventive measures such as immunization drives, fogging and spraying of mosquito-repellents in affected areas.

The disease has affected Gorakhpur, Kushinagar both in Uttar Pradesh, and some areas in Bihar.

The symptoms of encephalitis include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue and the inflammation of the brain. (ANI)