A four-year-old kid being treated at Sassoon General Hospital was the first person in Pune to be diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis (JE) in three years this week.

The boy remained on a ventilator for nine days. He spent 15 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) after being admitted, according to Dr. Vinayak Kale, dean of Sassoon General Hospital and BJ Medical College, who made the statement on Thursday. After his condition improved, he was later sent to the general ward. Although this infection is uncommon, unvaccinated children under 15 are at risk.

Japanese encephalitis is preventable with a vaccination. The World Health Organization reports that although the disease is uncommon, one in 250 cases has the potential to become serious. Furthermore, the JE case-fatality rate might reach 30% in severe cases. Severe JE patients encounter a rapid onset of high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, and paralysis.

A few regions in the state, including Pune, were chosen in early November for a pilot JE vaccination push (for kids under 15), the first stage towards incorporating the injection into the nation′s regular immunization program. Even though the efforts are already taking place in 13 other regions, officials in Pune stated that the district that reported JE is still expecting their vaccination supplies weeks later.

Dr. Sachin Desai, state immunization officer, said that the vaccinations are currently being administered in various Pune areas. Still, it is yet to begin in Panvel, Parbhani, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Pune. The center still needs to send the vaccine stock intended for Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, and there was uncertainty about when the vaccine stock would arrive.

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pune-reports-japanese-encephalitis-infection-but-no-sign-of-planned-vax-drive/articleshow/95926508.cms)