Government of Bangladesh has declared red alert in Rangpur ( Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat) due to unusual death. Symptom of the disease is fever. That claimed until now at least 24 lives in Rangpur and Lalmonirhat
Later, it was identified by experts as encephalitis (inflammation of brain tissue) caused by Nipah virus. It is certainly an alarming situation. That is why the Government of Bangladesh has declared red alert on that area.
Every year, some areas of Bangladesh are affected by this type of unknown fever and causes casualty. If we track the history, we can find that most of such fevers are caused by virus and disease was Encephalitis. Encephalitis is accompanied by inflammation of meninges (brain coverings).
Causes of Encephalitis (more specifically Meningo-encephalitis) are various. But in most cases, viruses are the predominant causative organism. Herpes simplex virus is the commonest one.
Encephalitis can be transmitted by airborne route through nose and also through blood and other body fluid. Bites of insects and animals can transmit the disease as well.
A patient with encephalitis may experience high fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, convulsion, stiffness, ultimately lethargy, unconsciousness, coma and sudden death.
If anyone experience above symptoms, s/he should pay an immediate visit to nearby health complex or any district hospital or a specialist doctor for proper management. Delay may progress the disease to the point of no return.
Scientists said Nipah encephalitis is not a new disease in the country. As many as 10 districts have been affected by the disease since its first outbreak in 2001. The districts are Meherpur, Naogaon, Rajbari, Faridpur, Tangail, Thakurgaon, Kushtia, Manikganj, Rangpur and Lalmonirhat.
The outbreak in Faridpur in 2004 caused 27 deaths out of 36 affected people at that time. The disease usually shows up between December and May.
Drinking of raw date-juice should be avoided.
