ABSTRACT
Bihar is one of the most disaster prone states of the county. There are altogether 9 different types of disaster prevalent in the state of Bihar. Of these events so far recorded, Heat wave is the most crucial, common and a regular annual phenomenon in Bihar resulting in enormous loss of life. The heat wave is a possible aggravating factor in an encephalitis outbreak in Bihar which has killed hundreds of children in recent years. The purported causes behind such an outbreak are speculated to be multifold -- one of them being consumption of litchis, or lychees. The unhygienic conditions, Malnourished children and inadequate or no investment on mitigation/ Preparedness measures has further increased the vulnerability of the population to this hazards. In addition to extensive damage to life, this disaster over the years has also adversely affected economic development in the State. Hence there is an urgent need for a structured research plan and epidemiological surveys to understand the underlying cause of the outbreak that has killed hundreds of children in Bihar.
This Paper discusses the key reasons for the outbreak of encephalitis in Bihar, through stakeholder interviews and observations in the aftermath of the Heat wave. The institutional context comprises several challenges such as inefficient Hospital disaster management plan, inherent weaknesses of the health management plan, structural disease control strategy and the lack of connection between governmental decision-making bodies, implementation agencies and civil society.
