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

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Unknow...e1-562989.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.

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

see also; http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=147832

The two areas are within 100 miles of each other.

Edit: No they are not, they are over 250 miles apart sorry!

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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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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.

[Treyfish]

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.'' http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-134328.html

[Ronan Kelly]

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

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Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

I cannot copy and paste the text from the link below, but the article indicates at least 41 deaths so far.

http://www.tripurainfo.in/News/ArchiveDet.aspx?WhatId=8951

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

[Treyfish]

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.http://www.tripurainfo.in/News/Archi...px?WhatId=8951

[Treyfish]

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.http://www.telegraphindia.com/110062...y_12615047.jsp

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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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/sho...d.php?p=339336 for more details. "Reang" is apparently a tribe.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Unknown diseases kill 20 kids in Tripura

Submitted to Promed.