A spectrum of viral diseases in Odisha state, eastern India: An evidence-based analysis from 2010-2017.

INTRODUCTION: Emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are a major threat to public health. Proper laboratory surveillance plays an important role in estimating the disease burden that helps in taking preventive measures for controlling seasonal diseases. This study focuses on the prevalence of different viral diseases in the state of Odisha, India, from 2010-2017.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 43,397 patients with clinical suspicion of viral diseases were screened for different viral etiology during 2010-2017. The laboratory diagnosis was conducted by serology (ELISA) and RealTime RT-PCR for 24 different viruses, i.e., Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A Virus, Hepatitis E Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Rotavirus, Herpes Simplex Virus-1 and Herpes Simplex Virus-2, Epstein -Barr Virus & Cytomegalo Virus, and respiratory viruses. Patients were enrolled from sporadic hospital admissions and outbreaks under different categories as per clinical diagnosis like fever with rash, diarrhoea, encephalitis, jaundice, respiratory illness, and fever of unknown etiology.

RESULTS: The majority of patients belonged to exanthematous group, i.e., fever with rash (32.24%). The number of males were more in all categories except fever with rash, where females (53.34%) were more. Children <16 years of age were found to be the predominant age group for suspected viral diarrhoea (85.26%), encephalitis (76.96%), fever of unknown origin (40.16%), and respiratory infections (27.23%).

CONCLUSION: Odisha being one of the coastal states in the country, reports many viral illnesses due to its typical geographical location. Initially, it was thought to be the only vector-borne disease that posed a threat to the state, but subsequently, other viral illnesses were also diagnosed and reported. This is the first report of laboratory confirmation and distribution of different viral diseases in the state of Odisha and neighboring regions, which will support public health management.