Encephalitis can be hazardous

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