Investigation of an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Rourkela City (Orissa) during 1989.

ABSTRACT

An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) was reported from Rourkela city for the first time in September-November 1989. 41 cases and 15 deaths occurred with a case fatality rate of 36.6 per cent. Most of the cases (66 per cent) were in the age group of 5-19 years. There was no case under 5 years. Female-male ratio of cases was 11.7. Serological examination of convalescent cases showed JE specific IgM indicating strong evidence of recent JE infection. Large number of pigs were seen in the affected areas.