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Slum jittery over fever deaths
TNN 21 November 2009, 06:41am IST
KOLKATA: Death of two slum dwellers due to suspected encephalitis in Tangra's Meher Ali Lane within a fortnight has sparked panic in these parts of north-eastern Kolkata.
Saharique Mohammed (16) was the first victim. According to Shah Mohammed, his father, Saharique had returned home with high fever and body ache on November 5. He was taken to ID Hospital, but he died the next day. According to the death certificate shown by the local KMC medical officer, Saharique died of encephalitis.
Encephalitis struck again, a stone's throw from Shah Mohammed's house, last Wednesday when Mustarin (15) died of high fever. Like Saharique, Mustarin was also taken to ID Hospital but she died the same day. Though reasons for Mustarin's death are not yet known, KMC medical officer in charge of Tangra, Sabyasachi Roychowdhury, said that going by the symptoms, it was a case of encephalitis.
Adding to the fears of the 10,000-odd residents, fever has struck every 10th house along the narrow and dingy lane in the heart of the city. Incidence of malaria is also high in the locality, Roychowdhuri conceded.
"Malaria will continue to be a potential threat till winter sets in. Out of 60 patients whom I attend every day, 45 are suffering from malaria. The danger is not yet over," he said. On the situation in Meher Ali Lane, Roychowdhury said: "A KMC health team will be deployed here."
Meanwhile, KMC health workers were seen spraying insecticides to kill mosquito larvae. "It hardly matters to me. Can I get back my son," asked Mumtaz Begum, mother of Saharique.
TNN 21 November 2009, 06:41am IST
KOLKATA: Death of two slum dwellers due to suspected encephalitis in Tangra's Meher Ali Lane within a fortnight has sparked panic in these parts of north-eastern Kolkata.
Saharique Mohammed (16) was the first victim. According to Shah Mohammed, his father, Saharique had returned home with high fever and body ache on November 5. He was taken to ID Hospital, but he died the next day. According to the death certificate shown by the local KMC medical officer, Saharique died of encephalitis.
Encephalitis struck again, a stone's throw from Shah Mohammed's house, last Wednesday when Mustarin (15) died of high fever. Like Saharique, Mustarin was also taken to ID Hospital but she died the same day. Though reasons for Mustarin's death are not yet known, KMC medical officer in charge of Tangra, Sabyasachi Roychowdhury, said that going by the symptoms, it was a case of encephalitis.
Adding to the fears of the 10,000-odd residents, fever has struck every 10th house along the narrow and dingy lane in the heart of the city. Incidence of malaria is also high in the locality, Roychowdhuri conceded.
"Malaria will continue to be a potential threat till winter sets in. Out of 60 patients whom I attend every day, 45 are suffering from malaria. The danger is not yet over," he said. On the situation in Meher Ali Lane, Roychowdhury said: "A KMC health team will be deployed here."
Meanwhile, KMC health workers were seen spraying insecticides to kill mosquito larvae. "It hardly matters to me. Can I get back my son," asked Mumtaz Begum, mother of Saharique.
