Japanese encephalitis virus attacks Chittagong, 1 dead

A rare mosquito-borne viral disease called Japanese encephalitis has created new concerns in Chittagong. After the death of Dr. Zakia Sultana Juthi, a young professor at Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), panic has spread among the public about the disease.

Doctors say the virus may have been isolated in the country for a long time, but most cases have gone undetected due to the lack of proper testing and identification systems. Now, the issue is gaining new importance with research by Chittagong Medical College, identification of a few patients, and recent deaths.

Metropolitan Hospital ICU specialist Dr. Kawsarul Alam said that the patient had symptoms of rapid brain changes along with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. He said that symptoms like brain stroke and neurological complications were pointing to viral encephalitis. 

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Experts say that Japanese encephalitis is mainly spread by mosquitoes of the Culex species. These mosquitoes usually carry the virus from pigs and wild birds and infect humans. However, the disease is not spread from person to person. After entering the human body, the virus can directly attack the nervous system and brain. In severe cases, the patient can quickly become unconscious, have seizures, and even go into a coma.

Head of the Department of Neuromedicine at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Dr. Md. Hasanuzzaman said that if you experience symptoms like unusual weakness, behavioral changes or seizures, you should immediately go to a neurologist. Because, if you are infected with this virus, time runs out very quickly.

Meanwhile, in a six-month study by Chittagong Medical College, encephalitis virus was detected in the bodies of three of the 75 patients tested, said researcher and physician Dr. Asiful Haque.