A horrific viral infection spreading a massive outbreak in Bihar. Incident arising various question on how much our hospitals are ready to equip for any epidemic events.
The report says litchi will be one of the reason causing infections in children. It is said that it contains a similar chemical, which is present in Jamaican fruit that is the cause of Jamaican vomiting sickness (JVS) or Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.
When consumed by children causes hypoglycaemia at night containing an unusual concentration of amino acid which shows high fever, seizure, coma and death in various cases. The conditions get worse if the child is malnourished. The undernourished child who goes to bed without food lowers the blood sugar level that causes the development of AES.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus that causes brain disorder mainly causes acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).
It is caused mainly by the toxin called methylene cyclopropyl glycine (MCPG). MCPG block the pathway of glucose synthesis called fatty acid oxidation. It produces glucose during the night when the sugar level from food is exhausted, so the body finds an alternate method to generate glucose. Low energy to the brain leading to unconsciousness and drowsiness making way for amino acids to enter the brain that causes swelling and consequence are coma and death.
Many published paper reports that the month of May to June is the peak season for AES.
For treatment, corticosteroids are given to reduce brain swelling along with anti-viral medication. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed to fight the fever.