ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Muzaffarpur Deaths: ‘Litchi is Not the Culprit’, Says Doctor

“People must know that the real culprit is malnutrition and not litchi”, the Muzaffarpur-based pediatrician explains

Updated
Fit
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

The death toll in the suspected Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) outbreak in Muzaffarpur continues to rise, killing over 100 children. Locally known as the ‘chamki fever’, links have been speculated between the disease and the consumption of litchi.

In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, Muzaffarpur-based pediatrician Dr Arun Shah has disclaimed this causal link and said, “People must know that the real culprit is malnutrition and not litchi.”

Dr Arun has been following AES cases since the last 20 years.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

He explains that the profiles of the children who have succumbed to the fever had one thing in common: they belonged to the poorest of poor families.

Referring to the 2016 research carried out by pediatrician and epidemiologist Jacob John, Dr Shah said,

If you look at the profile of children who have succumbed to the brain fever or who are reporting symptoms, you’d know they all belong to the poorest of poor families and roam around the litchi orchards in this terrible heat wave the whole day eating whatever they can find, unripe, raw or rotten litchis. They go back home and sleep empty stomach, and wake up in the morning reporting serious AES symptoms.

He added that if litchis were to blame, then cases of the disease should also have been reported in the urban areas of Muzaffarpur.

Litchi contains a toxin called MCPG, which can lead to a drop in sugar levels of malnourished children. It would not affect a healthy child the same way. Therefore, litchi is just a ‘triggering factor and not a reason in itself’, he explained.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

0

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from fit

Topics:  Litchis   Fever   Bihar Encephalitis 2019 

Published: 
Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×