Bangalore: Even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) raises its swine flu pandemic alert level to five, the swine is in news for another reason in Karnataka -- the decline in cases of Japanese encephalitis (brain fever).
Swines, as amplifying hosts, play a big role as reservoirs of the virus in transmission of the disease. But with initiation of the JE vaccination programme in the state, there has been a drastic decline in cases from 122 in 2005 to just three in 2008.
According to health officials, JE was included in the routine vaccination programme in endemic districts like Bellary, Kolar, Raichur, Koppal and Mandya. In Koppal district 70% of the target population has been covered. The vaccination drive covers children aged 1-15.
JE, predominant in southern states, is found to be endemic in 12 states and 184 districts across the country. From 2006, annually two districts have been covered in disease-prone states.
This year, Bijapur and Dharwad with an estimated 10 lakh children will be covered in the mass vaccination programme expected to start in June. Karnataka received 14 lakh vaccines for this year.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
There are adverse reactions to the vaccination too, termed Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), and a few deaths too
* In Bellary, of 6 lakh vaccination cases, 276 AEFI cases; 6 deaths
* Raichur: 5,12,389 vaccinated; 175 AEFI cases; 4 deaths
* Kolar: 6,81,971 vaccinated; 270 AEFI cases; 3 deaths
* Mandya: 4,12,501 vaccinated; 152 AEFI cases; 4 deaths
* Koppal: 2,96,770 vaccinated; 150 AEFI cases; 4 deaths
Such adverse reactions due to vaccine are unusual. Sometimes, a vaccine can lead to toxic shock syndrome, causing death. By implementing safety measures like good storage facility, proper administration, and avoiding expired or contaminated vaccine can prevent adversity to an extent
P P Maiya paediatrician
NO RETURN
* Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of viral encephalitis affecting children below 15 yrs; almost 70% of them either die or live with permanent neurological disability
* Main causes: Poor sanitation in rural area, Pig population
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ushes-out-brain-fever/articleshow/4577143.cms
Swines, as amplifying hosts, play a big role as reservoirs of the virus in transmission of the disease. But with initiation of the JE vaccination programme in the state, there has been a drastic decline in cases from 122 in 2005 to just three in 2008.
According to health officials, JE was included in the routine vaccination programme in endemic districts like Bellary, Kolar, Raichur, Koppal and Mandya. In Koppal district 70% of the target population has been covered. The vaccination drive covers children aged 1-15.
JE, predominant in southern states, is found to be endemic in 12 states and 184 districts across the country. From 2006, annually two districts have been covered in disease-prone states.
This year, Bijapur and Dharwad with an estimated 10 lakh children will be covered in the mass vaccination programme expected to start in June. Karnataka received 14 lakh vaccines for this year.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
There are adverse reactions to the vaccination too, termed Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), and a few deaths too
* In Bellary, of 6 lakh vaccination cases, 276 AEFI cases; 6 deaths
* Raichur: 5,12,389 vaccinated; 175 AEFI cases; 4 deaths
* Kolar: 6,81,971 vaccinated; 270 AEFI cases; 3 deaths
* Mandya: 4,12,501 vaccinated; 152 AEFI cases; 4 deaths
* Koppal: 2,96,770 vaccinated; 150 AEFI cases; 4 deaths
Such adverse reactions due to vaccine are unusual. Sometimes, a vaccine can lead to toxic shock syndrome, causing death. By implementing safety measures like good storage facility, proper administration, and avoiding expired or contaminated vaccine can prevent adversity to an extent
P P Maiya paediatrician
NO RETURN
* Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of viral encephalitis affecting children below 15 yrs; almost 70% of them either die or live with permanent neurological disability
* Main causes: Poor sanitation in rural area, Pig population
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ushes-out-brain-fever/articleshow/4577143.cms