Chemical fogging in Gaya, Bihar for Japanese Encephalitis

Nyima Nyinje

Hey folks,

I'm planning to be in Bodh Gaya in late December for about 2-3 weeks. Just saw this article about the outbreak of JE in that region, and the subsequent fogging in attempts to combat the infected mosquitos. Chemical exposure-wise, it should be fairly safe by then right? I'm also getting the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, but my two friends who will be there with me aren't getting it.

I'm considering not going at all and convincing my friends to do the same...but we're all looking very much forward to seeing HH Karmapa there and that's why the choice is very difficult to make.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

From The India Times, October 29 2009:

PATNA: At least 30 people have died and about 105 persons affected by Japanese Encephalitis in Bihar, prompting the state health authorities to
order chemical fogging in the affected areas of Gaya and Munger districts.

State health department sources confirmed 30 deaths due to the disease and claimed that around 105 others were affected in Gaya and other districts because of the spread of the disease.

"We are sending doctors to the affected areas and intensifying the technical malathion (chemical fogging) to destroy the causative mosquitoes of Japanese Encephalitis," a source said.

Identifying pigs and water birds for the growth of mosquitoes, the health department had also approached the animal resources department to keep pigs away from human habitation, sources said.

Special vaccination drive would be undertaken to contain the disease, besides routine immunisation in the districts, they said.

According to official figures, three children died and altogether 21 Japanese encephalitis cases were reported in 2006, while the death toll rose to 164 in 2007, during which 336 cases were reported.

Similarly in 2008, 46 children died of the disease and 198 were affected.
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Nick-H

You are sensible and your friends are mad!

I can't say that I have ever had this inoculation, but I am not heading for an area of recent outbreak.

As for the chemical fogging of mossies: it is horrible when it happens, but you won't notice anything just a few minutes afterwards. This may not be true for asthmatics or people with other lung complaints.

deej

I had the Jap Encephilitis vaccine before my trip to Nepal. There is a small risk of allergic reaction to the vaccine, but I had a new version which was apparently safer and had no problems other then the usual sore arm - you should take the advice of your doctor and weigh the risk against not getting vaccinated. There is a lot of information on the vaccine on various offical health sites if you do a google search.

If you're travelling in December you should visit your doctor very soon for the vaccine, as it takes a while to develop the immunity (varies depending on which type of the vaccine you have - my course of two injections had to be completed at least 10 days before travel), and my surgery had to order the vaccine in, which took just over a week to arrive.

pantelis

so if you have already the blessings do not worry at all!!!I will be there for 5 days during the Kagyu Monlam and i will get some spiral mosquito repellent or a lotion for the body but the 4 previous times i've been in Bodhgaya i had not a problem with mosquitoes but with food

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