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India - 100 dead (mostly children) due to unknown disease in Tripura

Shiloh

Shiloh

Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Unknown-diseases-kill-20-kids-in-Tripura/Article1-562989.aspx

Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura
Indo-Asian News Service
Agartala, June 25, 2010
First Published: 16:14 IST(25/6/2010)
Last Updated: 16:15 IST(25/6/2010)

At least 20 children have died in the past 10 days following the outbreak of various unknown viral and tropical diseases in a remote tribal-dominated village in Tripura, officials in Agartala said on Friday.

"The children mostly died at their homes in remote Kangrai tribal village along the Tripura-Mizoram border in northern Tripura," doctors and officials who visited the affected areas told reporters at divisional headquarters Kanchanpur.

Many other children and elders also fell ill. Some were admitted to the sub-divisional hospital.

Family welfare and preventive medicine director R.K. Dhar said: "Several medical teams with specialist physicians from state, district and divisional headquarters have rushed to the affected village, 215 km from here."

Doctors and officials have to trek at least 20 km of hilly terrain to reach the remote village.

Dhar said: "The children might have died due to various viral, seasonal and respiratory infections. The medical teams sent to the village will collect blood and other samples to confirm the disease."

A team of Congress leaders led by legislator Subal Bhowmik Thursday visited the affected village and demanded immediate control of the disease.

"Neither the health minister nor his officials and directors have visited the remote areas. There is no seriousness on the government's part to deal with the outbreak of the unknown diseases," Bhowmik told reporters.

The health infrastructure in the rural areas of Tripura is very poor, he added.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

http://www.ptinews.com/news/738445_14-children-die-of-viral-fever-in-Tripura

14 children die of viral fever in Tripura

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Share Print E-mail Comment[ - ] Text [ + ]STAFF WRITER 13:0 HRS IST
Kanchanpur (Tripura) Jun 24 (PTI) At least 14 children have died of Acquired Respiratory Infection (ARI), a kind of viral fever, in the tribal hamlet of Chhota Kangrai and its neighbouring villages in North Tripura district in the last 20 days, official sources said today.

Sub-divisional Medical Officer Subrata Roy said 14 children died at Chhota Kangrai, Bara Kangrai, Paschim Kangrai and Dhananjoypara due to the fever but the situation was now under control.

"Following receipt of information of deaths, we are organizing regular health camps in the areas and the patients are responding well to the medicines distributed by our medical teams," Roy told PTI.

He said the health teams have examined more than hundred slides of blood samples and ascertained that the disease was ARI and not malaria.

Sub-divisional Magistrate of Kanchanpur D.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Toll in respiratory infection touches 27


Agartala, Jun 26: The death toll in the week-long respiratory infection rose to 27 in the remote tribal Kangrai locality along the Mizoram-Tripura border in North Tripura.Principal Secretary, Health, Y P Singh said here today that Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty accompanied specialist doctors to the village yesterday and camps had been arranged.
He said initial reports revealed that the causes of death were acute infection in the respiratory system and gastroenteritis. But he said only 14 deaths were recorded in the hospitals.

However, sources in the area stated that so far 57 people, including 26 children, had been admitted to several hospitals of the sub-division and the administration had sent blood samples of the affected people to Agartala for investigation.

Mr Singh, however, pointed out that there was a report of outbreak of water borne diseases in Autharamura foothills. But no deaths had been reported.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Subal Bhowmik, who brought the matter to light, said, ''There are also incidences of spread of malaria in the villages. The health department did not take any proactive measure to contain the situation.'' :tiphat:http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-134328.html
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

neindia.com
TRIPURA NEWS


Infections turning children dead in Tripura
25/June/2010 (Agartala)

In last ten days, for Malaria, Measles, Hoping cough, at least 16 children died at a remote tribal predominated village, Boro Kangrai in Kanchanpur subdivision.
In this season, outbreak of malaria, measles, etc becomes routine affair in the state every year.
In the row, the latest deaths were on Thursday after they had been released from hospital two days back and sparked question against existing health care services.

The concerned SDM, Dilip Chakma after taking a visit at the effected area told yesterday that in last six months the death toll raised upto 25.

It has been learnt; there is no proper road head despite a distance of 20 kilometers only from the subdivision headquarters, so there are no regular vehicular services and the village remains very remote for which the patients rarely are taken to hospital.
Again, a section of the state health services alleged, the people lacking in awareness, are not interested to administer medicines prescribed by medicos that compounds the woos.

However, after the number of deaths got reported, medical camp has been organised there. The deaths on Thursday occurred when there was such a camp going on.

Now demand comes for specialist doctors from state capital Agartala to take the charge of the treatment there to check the death-parade.

http://www.neindia.com/view_trip_news.asp?1754
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

http://tripuratimes.com/leadnews/lead5_260610.html

Health Minister to visit Khangrai today

CDPO asked to stay for ten days

Times News



Kanchanpur, Jun. 25: Concerned over the death of about 50 villagers mostly minor, Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty will visit Bara Khangrai in Kanchanpur subdivision tomorrow. The Minister will be accompanied by Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Tripura Times in its last edition carried out the news item that has virtually rocked the state government prompting the DM to visit the village. As part of damage control exercise, a high level team headed by the District Magistrate (DM) North district today visited Kangrai village, 20 km from the sub-divisional town after report of epidemic like situation.Irked by the beleaguered plight of children, the DM has already asked CDPO and Supervisor to stay for ten days at the village to take care of the children suffering from various ailments. Sources said, the DM also told the CDPO to distribute hotchpotch twice in a day.The DM was accompanied by SDM, BDO and Executive Engineer of PWD. It has been learnt that the DM had to walk for hours to reach out at the ill-fated village. He asked the PWD authority repair the existing road at the earliest. The DM?s move proves malnutrition of children in the entire Khangrai village, a remote tribal hamlet in the Kanchanpur subdivision.It may be noted that MLA Subal Bhowmik had already visited Khangrai village and expressed serious concern over the death of over 50 villagers due to mysterious diseases. He also demanded stringent action against those involved in deteriorating the condition. According to Mr. Bhowmik, negligence on the part of Health department has worsened the situation. Most of the people died due to lack of proper medical care. He said that the death toll could cross 100 if immediate remedial measures are not being taken by the government.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

It is far from clear what is going on here. A previous article says all tests for malaria were negative, but this one says some were positive. It is unclear whether this is due to one disease or many. Respiratory symptoms have been emphasized above, but this one mentions gastrointestinal symptoms.

http://sentinelassam.com/northeast.php?sec=2&subsec=9&ppr=1&dtP=2010-06-26

Unknown disease

claims 24 in Tripura

AGARTALA, June 25: As many as 24 people, including 17 children, died here due to an unknown disease in remote tribal Kangrai locality along Mizoram-Tripura border under North Tripura in past five days, district health officials said today. Three people of a family died last morning following brief fever and stomach ailments and all other deaths were also reported due to similar kind of health problems,’’ they said. “There are also incidences of spread of malaria in the villages but the health department has not taken any proactive measures to contain the situation and the state government is not even bothered at the sudden death of so many villagers,’’ congress MLA Subal Bhowmik alleged. He demanded resignation of Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty and alleged that the department and health officials had confined their activities only to Agartala and its periphery. “Neither the Health Minister nor his Commissioner or Director visited the remote areas and there is no initiative to improve the health infrastructure in the rural areas. Almost all the rural blocks have been suffering from the shortage of specialist doctors,’’ Bhowmik pointed out. (Agencies)
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun2610/oth06

Unknown diseases kill 20 children in Tripura

AGARTALA, June 25 ? At least 20 children have died in the past 10 days following the outbreak of various unknown viral and tropical diseases in a remote tribal-dominated village in Tripura, officials here said on Friday, reports IANS.
?The children mostly died at their homes in remote Kangrai tribal village along the Tripura-Mizoram border in northern Tripura,? doctors and officials who visited the affected areas told reporters at divisional headquarters Kanchanpur. Many other children and elders also fell ill. Some were admitted to the sub-divisional hospital.

Family welfare and preventive medicine director R.K. Dhar told IANS: ?Several medical teams with specialist physicians from state, district and divisional headquarters have rushed to the affected village, 215 km from here.?

Doctors and officials have to trek at least 20 km of hilly terrain to reach the remote village.

Dhar said: ?The children might have died due to various viral, seasonal and respiratory infections. The medical teams sent to the village will collect blood and other samples to confirm the disease.?

A team of Congress leaders led by legislator Subal Bhowmik Thursday visited the affected village and demanded immediate control of the disease.

?Neither the health minister nor his officials and directors have visited the remote areas. There is no seriousness on the government?s part to deal with the outbreak of the unknown diseases,? Bhowmik told reporters.

The health infrastructure in the rural areas of Tripura is very poor, he added.

PTI adds: The opposition Congress today demanded immediate suspension of state Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty owning responsibility for recent deaths of children in an outbreak of disease in North Tripura district.

Claiming at least 100 people, mostly children, died of malaria, measles and malnutrition in last few weeks in tribal hamlet Kangrai, in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura during last few weeks, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) member and MLA Subal Bhowmick said the authorities were trying to supress the figure.

Bhowmick, who visited the remote area on Thursday, demanded suspension of the health minister for failing to provide any healthcare facility for the poor tribals and set up any health camp since ?he wanted to conceal the information from the press?.

While initially the Subdivisional Medical Officer (SDMO) had reported 13 people had died in the village, after his visit to the village the SDMO put up the toll to 28, the Congress leader said.

Again, despite receiving information about deaths on June 12, SDMO did not take any action and despite the Congress taking up the matter with him on June 19, no health camp set up, he said.

Alleging death certificates were not issued in favour of many deceased, he said, ?this is an act of criminal negligence and I demand that charges of murder be brought against the minister immediately as well as suspending from the assembly pending enquiry.?

The Sub-divisional Medical Officer(SDMO), Subrata Roy yesterday told PTI that 14 children died at Chhota Kangrai, Bara Kangrai, Paschim Kangrai and Dhananjoypara villages due to Acquired Respiratory Iinfection in last 20 days but the situation was now under control.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

http://tripuratimes.com/leadnews/lead1_250610.html

Epidemic like situation at Kanchanpur?s Kangrai village

Over 50 die in mysterious diseases, MLA wants action

Times News

Agartala, Jun. 24: At least 50 tribal villagers mostly minors died due to ?mysterious? diseases at Kangrai village, 20 km from Kanchanpur subdivision over the past two weeks triggering panic among the dwellers.

The outbreak of ?mysterious? diseases was first reported from the tribal hamlet on June 13. Though the death toll was official put at 20, the SDMO admitted that as many as 24 villagers have fallen prey to various diseases like malaria and mal-nutrition since June 13. However, the actual death toll at the village may cross 50.

If the Health department doesn?t take precautionary measures immediately, the situation may turn into epidemic, said MLA Subal Bhowmik, who toured the area today after getting the information of epidemic like situation at Kangrai hamlet.

Sensing the trouble, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), North district visited some areas of Kanchanpur subdivision on June 22 to select a suitable place for setting up a health centre. But no announcement regarding the place for the health centre has been made.

Mr. Bhowmik met the SDMO at his office and wanted to know the actual death toll and remedial measures being taken by the Health department. In reply, the SDMO initially said that 20 villagers were died at Kangrai due to various diseases like malaria, mal nutrition and measles. However, the SDMO later confirmed that the death toll was 24.

On the precautionary measures, the SDMO could not give any information to the MLA. It has been learnt that though Kanchanpur subdivision hospital has seven doctors including SDMO, only three physicians are working at the hospital. There are allegations that patient parties are not getting discharge certificates and death certificates on time.

Mr. Bhowmik said that there was no healthcare facility at the villager to treat the ailing villagers. ?No medical camp has so far been arranged at the village even after outbreak of mysterious diseases?, he said.

The MLA alleged that the Health department has been trying to suppress the epidemic like situation by concealing the actual death toll. Giving an instance, Mr. Bhowmik said four members of a family died at Kangrai village but officially it was put only one. ?I have personally verified that Angthaijoy Reang, his wife and two sons died whereas only one death was recorded officially?, he pointed out.

Deeply concerned over the prevailing situation, Mr. Bhowmik demanded stringent action against those who have not taken proper steps to tackle the situation.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

http://www.tripuratoday.com/ttday/NDetails.aspx?ID=948

Our Correspondent
Agartala, 24/06/2010
Even as the health department under the stewardship of Mr Tapan Chakraborty is in slumber sleep malaria and Acquired Respiratory Infection (ARI) has claimed 28 lives in the last week at Baro kangrai village under Kanchanpur subdivision. Among those dead are 16 children along with a child of two year six month age. And seven more suffering from malaria are in critical condition. They are undergoing treatment at Kanchanpur sub division hospital. Sub divisional medical officer Dr. Subrata Roy reported that most of the deaths caused by malaria. Latest reports said mobile medical camps are organized in the effected area and free medicines are being distributed among the people. There is an acute scarcity of safe drinking water in this subdivision that is considered one of the remotest in the state.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

FROM ALERTS POST

Death stalks tribal hamlets in North, 24 dead<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

By Our Correspondent<o:p></o:p>

Agartala, Jun 26, 2010 : For the last fortnight death came calling in remote Kanchanpur subdivision in North Tripura every day. Malaria, pneumonia and malnutrition claimed at least 24 ?mostly children- in four tribal hamlets West Kangrai, Boro Kangrai, Chuto Kangrai and Dhananjaypara inhabited by Reang tribesmen in the 15 days alone.

According to unofficial sources 41 had already died while local authorities admitted 24 deaths. However, Y P Singh, Principal Secretary in charge of Health Department, put the figure at 14.

The situation is turning worse and virtually taking an epidemic form. Health Minister Tapan Chakrabarty had already gone to Kanchanpur subdivision while Principal Secretary would leave for the affected area on Saturday.

?Situation is, indeed, bad and there were 14 deaths due to ?acute respiratory problem?. Of them eight died at West Kangrai, three in Boro Kangrai, two in Chuto Kangrai and one in Dhananjaypara. Twenty two more are admitted in hospitals. Most of the dead and affected are children?, said Singh.

He would hold a high level meeting with District magistrate, Sub Divisional Magistrate, BDO, and officials from ICDS, DWS and other local authorities to review the situation.

Local alleged that health department district and sub divisional level failed to take appropriate and preventive steps to contain the situation though severe outbreak of malaria and other diseases were being reported to them regularly. So far only one health camp was organized at Kangrai on Thursday but evidently it was not all adequate to cope with the situation.

Now with too many dead bodies at hand the civil administration in general and health department in particular had woken up. Belated but desperate attempts were being made to arrest the situation.

While a medical team was sent to Kanchanpur from Kailasahar, North Tripura District headquarters, one more team comprising child specialist and micro biologists and led by joint director of Health department would leave for Kanchanpur on Saturday.

Sources said most of the 19 PHCs and 105 sub centres in North Tripura district are facing acute shortage of doctors and medical facilities.

Political leaders had also visited Kangrai during the last few days. Congress MLA Subal Bhoumik who visited the affected villages in a statement castigated the state government for its failure to take steps to contain the disease outbreak.



Meantime, reports from remote hilly region of Teliamura subdivision in West Tripura also depicted an alarming situation due to diarrhoea and water borne diseases. Two persons had already died in this region. In Teliamura hospital more than 90 patients suffering diarrhoea and malaria were admitted from tribal hamlets located at Atharamura and Baramura hill ranges. As most of the water sources got dried up in the last summer spell, villagers in the deep interior were forced to take contaminated and muddy water from cherra and other sources.:tiphat:http://www.tripurainfo.in/News/ArchiveDet.aspx?WhatId=8951
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleheader>Fever kills 28 Reangs
- Tripura minister rushes to Kangrai village </TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleauthor>OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT</TD></TR><TR><TD class=story align=left>
Agartala, June 26: The death of more than 28 people belonging to the Reang community, including 14 children, in remote Kangrai village of North Tripura district following an outbreak of fever accompanied by respiratory problem has shaken the state government out of its stupor.
The Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) and the Congress are blaming the state health department for its apathy.
Fearing more casualties, health minister Tapan Chakraborty today rushed to Kanchanpur subdivisional town, 12km from the village, with the director of health services, Satya Debbarma, and a team of specialist doctors.
Congress MLA Subal Bhowmik, who had visited Kangrai with a group of party workers on Thursday, has demanded Chakraborty?s resignation.
?I had to visit the village enveloped by a funerary silence after trekking 12km across the hills, but what I saw was beyond belief. After having reached the unconnected village around 11am, I found silent preparations being made by the parents for the burial of their children,? Bhowmik said on his return to Agartala this morning.
He noted down the names of the 28 people who had died. The list has names of 14 children including those of Ramjay Reang, 8, Kisore Reang, 9, Bijli Reang, 6, Namita Reang, 11 , Laxman Reang, 6, Ganga Reang, 3, Kartik Reang, 5, Rupamati Reang, 7, Kashi Reang, 6, Durgabati Reang, 3, Khumbar Reang, 10, Khumpui Reang, 8, Kamala Reang, 2, and Surja Reang, 12.
On returning to the subdvisional town of Kanchanpur, Bhowmik yesterday spoke to SDO Dilip Kumar Chakma and subdivisional medical officer Subrata Roy but they allegedly feigned ignorance. When confronted with the figures, the names and other details, Chakma disappeared from his chamber.
Roy said he had informed the health directorate in Agartala about the spread of the disease and the need for emergency supply of medicine.
Chakraborty rushed to Kanchanpur with a team of five senior doctors and emergency medicine supply.
?According to our records 14 people had died but we are going to organise special health camps in the Kangrai area. The place is remote,? Chakraborty said, adding that he would visit Kangrai village tomorrow with doctors and nurses.:tiphat:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100627/jsp/northeast/story_12615047.jsp​
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Excellent find, Treyfish. While mystery illnesses seem to be common in that part of the world, respiratory ones are not. This seems to have a very high fatality rate, at least in that community, and it is unclear what this could be.

Simultaneous outbreaks of malaria, measles, etc. is extremely unlikely.

I think it is time to send this to ProMED.

Note: The last name "Reang" does not indicate that all the deaths are from the same family; see http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=339336 for more details. "Reang" is apparently a tribe.
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,83416

Archive Number 20100627.2149
Published Date 27-JUN-2010
Subject PRO/EDR> Undiagnosed illness - India: (TR) RFI


UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS - INDIA: (TRIPURA), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Date: Fri 25 Jun 2010
Source: The Hindustani Times [edited]
<http://www.hindustantimes.com/Unknown-diseases-kill-20-kids-in-Tripura/Article1-562989.aspx>


At least 20 children have died in the past 10 days following the
outbreak of various unknown viral and tropical diseases in a remote
tribal-dominated village in Tripura, officials in Agartala said on
Friday [25 Jun 2010].

"The children mostly died at their homes in remote Kangrai tribal
village along the Tripura-Mizoram border in northern Tripura,"
doctors and officials who visited the affected areas told reporters
at divisional headquarters, Kanchanpur. Many other children and
elders also fell ill. Some were admitted to the sub-divisional hospital.

Family welfare and preventive medicine director R.K. Dhar said:
"Several medical teams with specialist physicians from state,
district and divisional headquarters have rushed to the affected
village, 215 km from here." Doctors and officials have to trek at
least 20 km of hilly terrain to reach the remote village. Dhar said:
"The children might have died due to various viral, seasonal and
respiratory infections. The medical teams sent to the village will
collect blood and other samples to confirm the disease."

A team of Congress leaders led by legislator Subal Bhowmik on
Thursday [24 Jun 2010] visited the affected village and demanded
immediate control of the disease. "Neither the health minister nor
his officials and directors have visited the remote areas. There is
no seriousness on the government's part to deal with the outbreak of
the unknown diseases," Bhowmik told reporters. The health
infrastructure in the rural areas of Tripura is very poor, he added.

--
Communicated by:
FluTrackers.com

******
[2]
Date: Fri 26 Jun 2010
Source: The Telegraph, Calcutta [edited]
<http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100627/jsp/northeast/story_12615047.jsp>


The deaths of more than 28 people belonging to the Reang community,
including 14 children, in remote Kangrai village of North Tripura
district following an outbreak of fever accompanied by respiratory
problems have shaken the state government.

[The Reangs constitute the 2nd largest group among the tribal
population of Tripura. It is generally believed that this particular
community migrated to Tripura from somewhere in the Chittagong hill
Tracts in the middle part of the 15th century. The Reangs are a
disciplined community but backward both educationally and
economically, and, therefore, they are still considered to be a
primitive group. - Mod.CP]

Fearing more casualties, health minister Tapan Chakraborty today [26
Jun 2010] rushed to Kanchanpur subdivisional town, 12 km from the
village, with the director of health services, Satya Debbarma, and a
team of specialist doctors. Congress MLA Subal Bhowmik, who had
visited Kangrai with a group of party workers on Thursday [24 Jun
2010], has demanded Chakraborty's resignation. "I had to visit the
village enveloped by a funerary silence after trekking 12 km across
the hills, but what I saw was beyond belief. After having reached the
[isolated] village around 11 am, I found silent preparations being
made by the parents for the burial of their children," Bhowmik said
on his return to Agartala this morning. He noted down the names of
the 28 people who had died. The list has names included 14 children.

On returning to the subdivisional town of Kanchanpur, Bhowmik
yesterday [25 Jun 2010] spoke to SDO Dilip Kumar Chakma and
subdivisional medical officer Subrata Roy, but they allegedly feigned
ignorance. When confronted with the figures, the names and other
details, Roy said he had informed the health directorate in Agartala
about the spread of the disease and the need for emergency supply of
medicine. Chakraborty rushed to Kanchanpur with a team of 5 senior
doctors and emergency medicine supplies.

"According to our records, 14 people had died, but we are going to
organise special health camps in the Kangrai area. The place is
remote," Chakraborty said, adding that he would visit Kangrai village
tomorrow [27 Jun 2010] with doctors and nurses.

--
Communicated by:
FluTrackers.com

[This information has been forwarded to ProMED-mail by FluTrackers,
and additional press reports can be viewed via their website at
<http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3D148477>.

The description of the symptoms of the illness is not sufficiently
precise to indicate whether this outbreak has been caused by a novel
pathogen such as Nipah virus or a more familiar agent such as avian
(H5N1) or pandemic (H1N1) influenza virus, Japanese encephalitis
virus, or malaria which may be prevalent in the area, or a
combination of agents. ProMED-mail would welcome any additional
information from the region.
Tripura is a state in northeast India bounded on three sides by
Bangladesh (see:
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/tripura/tripuralocation.htm>) and
has Agartala as its capital. The principle hill ranges of Tripura are
Sakham Tlang, Langtarai, Athara Mura and Bara Mura. A map of Tripura
can be accessed at:
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/tripura/tripura-district.htm>. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of India is available at:
<http://healthmap.org/r/008o>. - Mod.CP]
 
Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

From the archive of Telegraph Calcutta. Fever and fatalities in children seem to recur in this state.

See below the two piece of news (the first one published Jan 2010 and the second in 2008).

Source: Telegraph Calcutta, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100123/jsp/northeast/story_12016261.jsp

Mystery fever kills 5 Reangs
OUR CORRESPONDENT

Silchar, Jan. 22 [2010]:

A group of three doctors and a few paramedical personnel equipped with life-saving medicines and saline drips today moved out of the state hospital at the block headquarters town of Lala to set up medical camps at Kundanala and Nunai villages where an unknown fever has claimed the lives of five tribals in 12 days.
Click to expand...

The Reang-inhabited villages are nearly 40km from Hailakandi town. Four of the dead were women.

Hailakandi deputy commissioner T.C. Goswami today said over phone that he had instructed the joint director of health services in the district headquarters town to arrange the despatch of the team of doctors and paramedical staff besides consignments of medicines to the affected places under Lala block town under Katlicherra Assembly constituency in the district on its boundary with Mizoram.

High fever accompanied by inflammations on the body of the victims and severe pain were the symptoms, Goswami said, adding the virus was yet to be properly diagnosed.
Click to expand...

The in-charge of the Lala primary hospital, Jayanta Das, denied that the villagers had died of malaria.

He said Jahidul Islam, who is heading the team of three doctors, had been specially instructed to collect blood samples of the tribals afflicted with the ?mystery disease? for proper diagnosis at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

The five who had died over the past 12 days in the Reang-inhabited villages are Janu Reang, 32, Dhanyamani Reang, 40, Mulyabati Reang, 55, Albati Reang, 38, and Dhaniram Reang, 50. The first four were women.

Except Janu who belonged to Channighat village, the rest were from Kundanala, official sources in Hailakandi town said today.

Sources said Janu was first treated at the civil hospital in Hailakandi from where she was shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital. She died there on January 17. Her ailment could not be diagnosed at the medical college hospital as no blood culture was conducted there.

At least 20 Reang tribals, with high fever, are battling for life in Durgapur, Bander-cherra, Yakubnala and Lalch-erra villages near Nunai.

The president of the District Tribal Sangha, Ramendra Reang, had demanded a mini-hospital and quick economic development in the Reang enclaves of Lala block
-
-----
-
Source: Telegraph Calcutta, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080430/jsp/northeast/story_9205869.jsp

Malaria toll rises in Tripura
OUR SPECIAL CORESPONDENT

Agartala, April 29 [2008]:

Malaria continued to take a toll in villages of the Barmura range, with 24 tribals falling prey to high fever in the past three days.
Click to expand...

A tribal sorcerer, Krishnarai Debbarma, who chanted mantras as part of treatment for malaria in the area, died of the disease today in Balupara village.

Altogether nine tribals, including five children, fell prey to malaria in Balupara and Kalatilla villages between April 24 and 26.

Since April 26, seven more tribals have died of malaria in the hilly Bilaiham and Tirthamoni para villages while 10 others are under treatment in Teliamura sub-divisional hospital.

Official sources at the health department in Teliamura said on April 27 two tribal children ? Prayanti Reang and Rithurai Reang ? died of malaria. The same day, three persons ? Dilmoni Reang, her husband Bilaspati Reang and another woman, Laxmipati, succumbed to the disease.

Yesterday, a tribal couple, Champarai Debbarma and his wife Lilabati, died of the parasite in Tirtahamoni para village.

Sources said none of the tribals tried to obtain medicine and other aids distributed free of cost from the Mungiakami block in the Barmura ranges.

Sub-divisional medical officer of Teliamura P.K. Mazumder said, ?Our medical teams have been visiting the affected areas and distributing medicines stored at Mungiakami block office. But the trouble is that the tribals do not have faith in the treatment provided by the government.?

Mazumder said during the dry spell between February and April tribal people of the area consume contaminated water from hilly spring and contract various diseases.

?The situation gets worse when the poor tribals consume inedible food during this dry period of crisis,? Mazumder said, adding that he has already recommended distribution of mosquito nets free of cost among tribals.

?I have already requested the health directorate at Agartala to arrange to send special teams of doctors to conduct health camps in the entire area,? Mazumder said.
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Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

ironorehopper said:
From the archive of Telegraph Calcutta. Fever and fatalities in children seem to recur in this state.

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Agreed, although none of the previous outbreaks, including the two mentioned above, are described as respiratory like this one is. Also, only half of the 28 fatalities (in the latest report) are identified as children. Even so, such reports could simply be a result of conditions in the area, or it might indicate a previously undiscovered agent.

The situation is extremely unclear. As the ProMED post indicates, a wide variety of agents, both known and unknown, flu and non-flu, could be responsible for this outbreak. But obviously, the ones I highlighted in red above would be the most concerning.
 
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Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

alert said:
Agreed, although none of the previous outbreaks, including the two mentioned above, are described as respiratory like this one is. Also, only half of the 28 fatalities (in the latest report) are identified as children. Even so, such reports could simply be a result of conditions in the area, or it might indicate a previously undiscovered agent.

The situation is extremely unclear.
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Respiratory illness doesn't mean automatically influenza (seasonal, pandemic or avian).
 
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