Epidemic at Tipaimukh
Pneumonia behind Tipaimukh infants ravage, say doctors
Imphal, Apr 20: A team of doctors, including paediatrician, N Kameshwar, who visited the Tipaimukh villages reeling under reports of infant deaths due to an outbreak of an unknown epidemic, has confirmed the deaths, although not the claimed number of of 29.
When contacted by IFP, Dr. Kameshwar said it is also now known that the cause of the deaths is acute respiratory tract infection caused by a bacteria strain, which in later stages leads to pneumonia a condition fatal for infants if left without medical attention.
The tell tale symptoms of darkening of nails and lips at death were reported in every case, he said.
While ill, convalescence, alternating high fever and hypothermia, and in later stages, difficulty in breathing, uncontrollable urge to fall asleep etc, were also its unmistakable symptoms, he added. All these were confirmed from the field, he said.
He said, in all 25 confirmed deaths were recorded, and Lungthulien with 8 fatalities and Pherzawl with 15 were the worst affected.
The deaths however happened over the last four months and was not caused by any sudden outbreak of an epidemic as has been the general impression created by media reportage so far.
Dr Kameshwar said most of the fatalities were of infants below one year, and this was natural in such infections, as children above one year are generally develop stronger immune system.
He said a simple dose of appropriate antibiotic can cure, but these life saving drugs are scarce in these areas.
In certain villages, lucky enough to have even a trained nurse stationed have fared much better. In some of the villages enterprising medics had with remarkable effectiveness treated patients with improvised medications consisting of a regime of adult antibiotic drugs with similar compositions, administered in smaller portions to infants, the visiting doctors and activists said.
The doctors also said that the disease is a perennial condition and not a sudden outbreak, raising fears that its spread and dangers would continue even after the present battle to contain the disease is through.
The area is also extremely malaria prone and when the monsoon arrives, there will be added woe of this killer over and above the present one, they said.
Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, Apr 20: A team of doctors, including paediatrician, N Kameshwar, who visited the Tipaimukh villages reeling under reports of infant deaths due to an outbreak of an unknown epidemic, has confirmed the deaths, although not the claimed number of of 29.
When contacted by IFP, Dr. Kameshwar said it is also now known that the cause of the deaths is acute respiratory tract infection caused by a bacteria strain, which in later stages leads to pneumonia a condition fatal for infants if left without medical attention.
The tell tale symptoms of darkening of nails and lips at death were reported in every case, he said.
While ill, convalescence, alternating high fever and hypothermia, and in later stages, difficulty in breathing, uncontrollable urge to fall asleep etc, were also its unmistakable symptoms, he added. All these were confirmed from the field, he said.
He said, in all 25 confirmed deaths were recorded, and Lungthulien with 8 fatalities and Pherzawl with 15 were the worst affected.
The deaths however happened over the last four months and was not caused by any sudden outbreak of an epidemic as has been the general impression created by media reportage so far.
Dr Kameshwar said most of the fatalities were of infants below one year, and this was natural in such infections, as children above one year are generally develop stronger immune system.
He said a simple dose of appropriate antibiotic can cure, but these life saving drugs are scarce in these areas.
In certain villages, lucky enough to have even a trained nurse stationed have fared much better. In some of the villages enterprising medics had with remarkable effectiveness treated patients with improvised medications consisting of a regime of adult antibiotic drugs with similar compositions, administered in smaller portions to infants, the visiting doctors and activists said.
The doctors also said that the disease is a perennial condition and not a sudden outbreak, raising fears that its spread and dangers would continue even after the present battle to contain the disease is through.
The area is also extremely malaria prone and when the monsoon arrives, there will be added woe of this killer over and above the present one, they said.
Source: The Imphal Free Press