15-YEAR-OLD BOY DIES OF JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS IN IMPHAL EAST: A CALL FOR URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION IN MANIPUR
SHORT SUMMARY OF THE INCIDENT
In a deeply saddening incident, a Khundongbam Elan, son of Khundongbam Ibomcha 15-year-old boy from Imphal East, Manipur, tragically passed away due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE). The boy, who was undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), succumbed to the deadly virus despite the hospital’s best efforts. This heartbreaking death has reignited public concern about the rise of JE cases in the state, especially during the monsoon season when the disease typically spreads rapidly. The health department has launched awareness campaigns and intensified fogging in mosquito-prone areas, but this case points to deeper systemic issues that demand urgent attention.
The death of a 15-year-old boy in Imphal East isn’t just a tragedy — it’s a wake-up call. One that tells us that despite medical advances, vaccines, and public health campaigns, gaps remain. And these gaps are costing lives.
FAQs
1. Can Japanese Encephalitis spread from person to person?
No, JE doesn’t spread between humans. It spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito.
2. How long does it take for symptoms to show after being bitten?
The incubation period is usually 5 to 15 days after the mosquito bite.
3. Are there any long-term effects for JE survivors?
Yes. About 30-50% of survivors can suffer from long-term neurological issues like seizures, behavioral changes, or paralysis.
4. Can adults get infected too?
Yes, but children under 15 are the most vulnerable. Adults can be infected, especially if they’ve never been vaccinated or exposed before.
5. Is JE the same as Dengue or Malaria?
No. While all three are mosquito-borne, JE is a viral infection affecting the brain, whereas dengue causes hemorrhagic fever and malaria is a parasitic infection targeting red blood cells.
