Himachal Pradesh registered its first case of fatal viral disease Japanese Encephalitis, as a child, who was referred to the IGMC Shimla recently, tested positive at the Virology Lab of Pune.

Senior Medical Superintendent of IGMC Janak Raj told UNI that the first case of JE belonged to Dharmpur sub-division of Solan district and was currently under observation in ICU at IGMC. He said the samples of two kids, who were admitted at IGMC with similar fever symptoms, was also sent for Pune, to test them for JE.

Unconfirmed media reports said that more than half dozen cases of brain fever were reported from Dharmpur area of Solan district and one critical patient was being kept in the Intensive Care Unit. The blood sample of the child tested positive at Pune, Dr Raj confirmed.  Concerned department of Health in the state, however, did not show its confirmation about the outbreak of JE in this hill state. The state units of communicable disease stated that it would sound advisory for JE after confirmation of fever in rest of the cases.