Sri Lanka: Spike in JE cases in Ratnapura district; 9 fatalities, 48 confirmed cases in 2 months

[Catbird]

Open gem pits and pigs ? main cause for spread of Japanese encephalitis

February 17, 2013

"Unsealed gem pits are the main reason for the spread of Japanese encephalitis in the Ratnapura district, where nine of the 48 persons hospitalised with the virus have died. The highest number of cases was reported from Nivithigala and Kuruwita, says Ratnapura Regional Health Services Director, Dr. Athula Dangalle. The victims were mostly adults, while only four developed fever, he said.

....The last reported case of Japanese encephalitis in the country was 10 years ago, in 2003, from Ratnapura...".

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Sri Lanka: Spike in JE cases in Ratnapura district; 9 fatalities, 48 confirmed cases in 2 months

Health Ministry on Viral Encephalitis and Japanese Encephalitis
Updated on :
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - 09:03

The Health Ministry says that out of the 52 patients suffering from fever reported from Ratnapura only eight were confirmed to be infected with Japanese Encephalitis.

A statement issued by the ministry indicated that the rest of the reported cases were of Viral Encephalitis which is a common condition.

Seven of the patients who had contracted Japanese Encephalitis were over forty eight years of age while the other patient was a two month old infant.

The statement went on to say that in order to prevent the disease from spreading ? every child under the age of ten will be vaccinated.

The programme has been successfully implemented in the Ratnapura District.

http://newsfirst.lk/english/node/21316

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Sri Lanka: Spike in JE cases in Ratnapura district; 9 fatalities, 48 confirmed cases in 2 months

Sri Lanka - Pork imports 02 Mar 2013
The Department of Animal Production and Health has taken a decision to impose a temporary ban on the import of pork to Sri Lanka in view of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) presently spreading in the Ratnapura, Kegalle and Kurunegala areas.
...
Accordingly, the government has decided not to import pork from countries which are considered to be exposed to JE.

http://www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/news/250213/sri_lanka___pork_imports_.aspx

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Sri Lanka: Spike in JE cases in Ratnapura district; 9 fatalities, 48 confirmed cases in 2 months

Sunday, 10 March 2013

Ratnapura children vaccinated against brain fever
by Mohammed Naalir

Ninety six thousand children below the age of 10 in the Ratnapura district have been vaccinated against brain fever, according to Ratnapura District Health Director's Office sources.

The sources said brain fever has been controlled in the district and steps have been taken to vaccinate the children below 10 against the disease.
...

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2013/03/10/new25.asp