Encephalitis can be hazardous

I refer to the article Threat of Japanese encephalitis outbreak looms in Indonesia which I read with concern in The Jakarta Post on April 7, 1999. I am living in Bali and the data reported in your article regarding the presence of this disease on the island confirmed some worries I've already had.

At the end of 1998, a friend foreign of mine contracted encephalitis here and was taken to Denpasar hospital where he was treated, but with no success. At the end of December he was taken abroad in a last tentative effort to cure him but unfortunately he died in intensive care only a few days after. During the same period while I was visiting him in the hospital, I learned of another foreigner who was affected by encephalitis and had been taken abroad. I do not know whether he survived or not. During the two months that my friend had been in the hospital here, no doctor shared any knowledge nor ever referred to Japanese encephalitis nor collected information about the possible cause of contagion nor informed me or any other relative of his about the risks of this illness.

I have been told by some Balinese that there are unscrupulous traders in many villages who buy animals, mainly pigs and cattle, which have died of illness and then sell them at the markets. The meat is then bought by members the public who are unaware and therefore exposed to a potential health hazard. I do not know if there is any connection between the way Japanese encephalitis is spread or if it's a cause of consuming meat from diseased animals, but the fact is it's disturbing and it should be investigated thoroughly to verify whether it is a true fact or not.

The fact that Japanese encephalitis is present in Indonesia and that it could become a serious hazard should be made known to the public. The proper authorities should inform citizens about how we can protect ourselves, how the contagion is spread, what the symptoms are, whether it is possible to be infected by eating uncooked or cooked meat and so on.

I find it quite unbelievable that meat from dead diseased animals is sold without inspection at the markets. I have been told that all meat sold at the market should be checked by a veterinarian. So is it happening or not? The fact that animals who have died from illnesses are sold at the markets should be investigated thoroughly since this could be the source of serious health risks or disease.

I hope that if any experts are reading this letter, they will reply to it, informing the public of the means to protect ourselves and our families.

GIUSEPPE VERDACCHI

Kuta, Bali