KURNOOL : Doctors treating the children suffering from Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in the General Hospital here have underscored the need for an exclusive ward in view of the Kurnool district emerging as the capital of JE cases in the State. The paediatric ward had been handling the cases since 1986. The mortality rate, which was 30 per cent initially, came down to 6 per cent now.

In the absence of any special ward, Japanese Encephalitis patients have been accommodated in the paediatric ward along with children of other diseases.

Brain deformity

The doctors said deformity of brain was noticed in almost 50 per cent of the children, who required physiotherapy. A doctor dealing with the cases for the last ten years said: "we are able to save the children but unable to send them back to school because of morbidity.''

This year 40 cases were admitted to the ward so far and four children died. In a significant development, cases were reported from Kurnool city also this year.

The doctors said 20 children hailing from the city were undergoing treatment in various hospitals as against 10 cases last year.

Minister M. Mareppa and Collector Vikas Raj visited the paediatric ward in the General Hospital and discussed the measures required to meet the emergency.

The doctors told them that nothing could be done immediately to prevent the cases but the ward be equipped to handle the cases. Also, a campaign be launched in villages that parents brought the children to the General Hospital immediately after noticing the high fever, headache and convulsions.

They suggested that vaccination was a practical step to fight the disease.

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