An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in northern India in 2006. Attempts to identify an etiologic agent in cerebrospinal fluid by using reverse transcription–PCR showed positivity to enterovirus (EV) in 66 (21.6%) of 306 patients. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of PCR products from 59 (89.3%) of 66 specimens showed similarity with EV-89 and EV-76 sequences.

An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in Gorakhpur, India, from July through November 2005. The etiologic agent was confirmed to be Japanese encephalitis virus by analyzing 326 acute-phase clinical specimens for virus-specific antibodies and viral RNA and by virus isolation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these isolates belonged to genogroup 3.

The objective of the study was to determine the causes of lactation failure (LF), factors affecting relactation in mothers having low milk supply (LMS) and LF, and to know the success rate of relactation by proper counselling and positive support group. It was a prospective hospital-based study conducted in tertiary care referral hospital in mothers with their biological infants of less than 4 months of age, who were admitted with LF and some breastfeeding (BF) related problems. Mothers were advised for frequent BF in proper position and good attachment under supervision of trained BF experts with good support group. Lactogogue was used in few mothers. There were 64 mothers with LF and LMS, out of them 45 (70.3%) were between the age of 21-35 years. Maximum infants ( = 51, 79.69%) were below 6 weeks of age; and in 32 (78.04%) infants, artificial feeding was started within 15 days of postnatal life. Commonest cause of LF was mother's misconception of insufficient milk ( = 25, 39%). Relactation was possible in 100% mothers. Complete relactation was possible in 29 (85.29%) mothers when their age was <25 years and in 38 (86.36%) mothers when their infants age was <6 weeks. Chances of complete relactation were less, when duration of artificial feeding was more and infant was fed with bottle (62.96%). We found no difference with the use of lactogogue. Relactation was possible in 100% of mothers (may be partial) by continuous and positive support from family members and trained health workers.

A cross-sectional study was done on 100 consecutive paediatric patients presenting with acute encephalitis syndrome. The clinico-laboratory features of all patients were recorded in a prestructured performa. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples were tested for: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus; Chandipura virus; coxsackie virus; dengue virus; enterovirus 76; and West Nile virus. Twenty-two (22.0%) patients were confirmed JE cases and 17% had parasitic or bacteriological aetiology. The remaining 61 cases (61.0%) in which no viral aetiological agent was found were grouped as non-JE cases. Peripheral vascular failure, splenomegaly and hypotonia were distinguishing clinical features found in the non-JE patients. A high mortality of 26.5% was seen in patients with confirmed or presumptive viral encephalitis (22/83). A fatal outcome was independently associated with peripheral vascular failure and pallor at the time of admission. Early recognition of these signs may help clinicians to manage these cases.

The present study has been carried out in the slum areas of Gorakhpur city, covering a population of 10,187 in the four colleges of Gorakhpur. Five hundred and eighty children and adolescents in urban slums, and 750 college students between 10-18 years were studied by means of a questionnaire card for detection of prevalence rate and various others co-relates of abuse of psychoactive substances. Overall, prevalence of abuse of psychoactive substances was 25% in slum areas, and 18% in college students. Abuse of tobacco was most frequent (50.3% & 72.5%) followed by that of alcohol (11.7% & 16.2%) in both the groups respectively. Cannabis was also used by some children (0.6%). More abusers were from Hindu families with low educational status and low family income. Surprisingly no one was found to be abusing tablets and street drugs.