Encephalitis not connected to Litchi: Research centre


Daijiworld Media Network (SR)

Patna, Jun 25: Confusion and tension have been prevailing after the shocking death of 129 children in Muzaffarpur since several news portals have pointed out that the cause of death could be the connection between malnutrition and a toxin found in lychees, a fruit that is found abundantly in the orchards in the district.

After some researches raised doubt on lychees as one of the reasons for the acute encephalitis epidemic, there is belief among the general public in the district that the fruit is behind the deadly outbreak. However, in a recent interview with India Today, director of the National Research Centre on Litchi, Dr Vishal Nath refused the claims that litchi has got anything to do with the tragic deaths of so many children.

Dr Vishal Nath said there is no connection between the outbreak of encephalitis and litchi. “Litchi is a nutritious fruit as it contains vitamin B, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and other minerals. In 11 years of my experience at the Muzaffarpur-based research centre, I did not come across any side effects of the fruit,” he added.

He also urged the government and doctors to find the real issues behind the deadly disease instead of blaming litchi, since many local people earn their livelihood by selling the fruit.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Dr.S.Kamath, Mumbai

    Tue, Jun 25 2019

    In the year 20014 an extensive research was done
    It was found that cause of Brain inflammation Encephalitis is Malnutrition that is lack of glucose in the blood .Poor children dont take dinner at night and sleep .In the early morning hours they eat Litchi on empty stomach .Here when blood glucose is low and when there is no fresh supply of glucose Liver converts Fatty acids into Glucose and this process is inhibited by hypoglycin A ormethylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), present in some litchees
    Litchii Is rich in Vitamin C and Flavanoids which prevent infections and prevents heart disease and cancer also so good for health
    To conclude eat Litchees in plenty they are good for health
    But if you have not taken food at previous night and early morning on empty stomach dont eat Litchees instead take a breakfast eat Idli Dosa and then eat lot of Litchees no problem
    Eat Licthee ice creams no problem

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Tue, Jun 25 2019

    "In 11 years of my experience at the Muzaffarpur-based research centre, I did not come across any side effects of the fruit” says the full-stomach director of the National Research Centre on Litchi.

    The National Research Centre on Litchi is a litchi-promotion body. It is not a disease-rearch organisation.

    Worse, the Bihari gentleman doing the talking is not a medical person,

    People have been talking for years about a link between the fatal disease and the fruit. The disease kills 100s of children every year, during the litchi-season.

    It appears that the children affected are extremely poor, and eat the fruit to fill up their hungry stomachs, as there is very little else to eat.

    No one has the time to do any research on the link between the fatal disease and the fruit.

    That is the BIMARU world for you.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Tue, Jun 25 2019

    Whatever the reason, main problem is, govt hospitals in Bihar do not have common medicines ready, medical instruments and machines not in working condition and surrounding facilities are dirty and stinking. Even specialists sent from AIIMS are finding it difficult, because facilities are completely out of service.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse


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