Japanese encephalitis kills 53 in India
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-08 18:57

The death toll from an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in northern India reached nearly 600, officials said Thursday, as another 53 people died overnight. Authorities struggled to find money for pesticides that could stop the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

Hospitals in India's largest state, Uttar Pradesh, are struggling to cope with the influx of patients suffering from the disease.

Another 123 people were hospitalized in state-run institutions overnight, bringing the total number of reported infections to 2,400, hundreds of whom remain in hospitals, said Vijay Shankar Nigam of the state's health department.

But he said the number of people infected since the outbreak began early August is likely higher. "We are not keeping track of patients coming to private hospitals," he said.

With 53 deaths overnight, Nigam said, the overall death toll reached 594.

No new deaths have been reported in neighboring Nepal, where the disease has killed 172 people since April. Some Nepali victims are being treated in India, Indian officials say.

Japanese encephalitis causes high fever and vomiting, and can sometimes lead to coma and death. It is spread by mosquitos that breed in ponds and puddles left by the region's annual June-September monsoon rains.

Children are most susceptible to the disease, and many of the dead in this outbreak have been under age 15.

The disease can be prevented by vaccinations, but state health authorities say they don't have enough money for an immunization program.

A lack of money is also hampering efforts to stop the disease from spreading.

"We do not have money to purchase diesel and pay workers. The situation may improve in three to four days as we have asked for the state government's help," said O. P. Singh, the state's top health official. Diesel is mixed with insecticides that are sprayed to kill the insects.

The latest outbreak first struck in Gorakhpur, a town 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Lucknow, the state's capital, and later spread to 24 of 70 districts in the state.

Authorities expect the outbreak to ebb by the end of monsoon season later this month.

Close

Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder campaigning Rescue continues in New Orleans Egyptian presidential election campaigns conclude

Today's Top News     Top World News
Siberian oil pipeline to go to China first: Putin         N. Korea nuclear talks to resume Sept 13         President Hu due in Canada for visit         Vice-premier: Economy to grow 9% this year         China, US smash Viagra counterfeiting case         Live broadcast on mobile phone offered	Saddam did not confess to mass killings - lawyer       North Korea demands withdrawal of US troops from South       Typhoon Nabi leaves 32 dead or missing in Japan       Egypt's historic presidential poll ends smoothly       Police, soldiers work to empty New Orleans       Saddam reportedly defends attack on Kurds