Gorakhpur has been in the grip of encephalitis for four decades. (Photo: Reuters)

According to government records, reported in September last year, 224 kids died in the BRD Medical College hospital - where more than 60 kids are reported to have died over past few days - due to encephalitis.

The official records showed that between January last year and first week of September, 920 patients of encephalitis were admitted to the BRD Medical College hospital. But, this is not the story of a singular isolated year. It is being repeated every year in Gorakhpur since 1978.

This year, 114 encephalitis deaths have been reported till now.

ENCEPHALITIS AND GORAKHPUR

Gorakhpur has been in the grip of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) for four decades. Both kinds of encephalitis are viral infections that affect the brain, lead to coma and cause death. At times survivors are left with serious disabilities - mental and physical.

Records show that hundreds die every year in eastern UP due to encephalitis. Gorakhpur is the epicentre encephalitis induced deaths. According to official figures, around 25,000 children have died since 1978 due to the two types of encephalitis. And, these are only recorded deaths. Independent figures put the toll around 50,000 as many kids die without reaching hospital.

The Yogi Adityanath government launched a massive anti-encephalitis vaccination programme this year. But, the results may take some time to yield desirable results.

WHY GORAKHPUR?

The children's deaths in Gorakhpur have a history which began in India with the first report of AES death in the then Madras Presidency in 1956. When it seemed that the viral outbreak had been contained, West Bengal shocked the country in 1973 when around 300 deaths took place in Burdwan and Bankura districts.

By 1978, Uttar Pradesh came under attack from the encephalitis viruses. But, the encephalitis threat grabbed attention only in 2005 when 1,344 of 5,737 (official figures reported) affected children were killed across Uttar Pradesh.

In 2007, a vaccination programme was launched with drugs imported from China. The drive achieved success in many states but somehow Gorakhpur and surrounding areas continued to stay in the grip of encephalitis.

GORAKHPUR'S PREDICAMENT

Eastern Uttar Pradesh, where Gorakhpur is located, continues to be one of the most backward areas of the country. Poverty and poor health services go hand in hand in the region. The government or charity hospitals are overburdened.

BRD Medical College hospital is the only hospital in a 300 sq km stretch of the region with decent facilities to treat encephalitis and similar infectious diseases.

This hospital treats patients coming from Gonda, Basti, terai regions Nepal and eastern districts of Bihar. These are the districts where cleanliness and sanitation have been a major problem. In fact, in the Swachh Bharat Survey 2017, Gonda was declared as the dirtiest district in India.

The incidence of encephalitis in these districts is very high particularly among children below 8-10 years of age.

The Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome are caused by mosquito bites of Culex vishnui and Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Filth is home to these species of mosquito. Every year, monsoon season is the worst season for children in Gorakhpur.

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