As encephalitis outbreak claims more than 114, CM suspends three officials
KOLKATA: Within four days spreading encephalitis in North Bengal confirmed worst fears of experts who felt an outbreak is eminent. Even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who admitted today in Nabayana “incompetence of North Bengal health department’’ leading to a situation of crisis, suspended three top health officials. As encephalitis claimed more than 114 victims today, it became apparent for Banerjee to take extreme step of suspending three top officials. Even Banerjee admitted that during her recent visit to North Bengal, the “officials kept her in complete darkness’’ (while media reports were not silent). Report reaching here from hills said even municipalities failed to control free roaming of pigs, carrying encephalitis virus almost everywhere. Open vats aren’t taken care of the way they should have been and with death of four people today when the toll touched more than 114 Mamata Banerjee reacted by suspending senior health officials. “Now it’s a clear case of outbreak,’’ said an expert of the School of Tropical Medicine. “But Government which neglected the early tolls’ indications now should not panic as it would do damage to victims and common people,’’ he added. Interestingly, while encephalitis is spreading in seven North Bengal Districts, other experts also attribute malnutrition as one of the prime reasons why the fallout of killer encephalitis has been strengthened.
