Shadow Lives

As the sun rises, bringing with it the promise of a new day, life becomes an arduous journey for some. This is Kalnoon, about 200 kilometers from Hyderabad in southern India. Close to this town lie small and scenic villages, complete with the peace and quietness of the countryside. Farming being the main activity, the day begins early. Every family member here has their share of chores. But some cannot help. They are the unfortunate victims of a deadly, crippling disease: Japanese encephalitis, also known as JE. Ten years ago, Somana was a boy like any other in the village. Today he is a mere shadow of his former self. He is a telling victim of the dreaded JE virus. As the virus infected Somana and multiplied, it inflamed the tissues of his brain. Miraculously, Somana survived, but his brain was permanently damaged. He cannot concentrate enough to attend school anymore. He gets no work because of his paralyzed left arm and emotional outbursts, all caused by JE. For people like Navagajood, only prayers help them survive against all odds. Navagajood works as a messenger in this temple, earning less than 30 dollars a month. He has seen his share of tragedy. Until two years back, Navagajood’s youngest child, Maheesh, was amongst the brightest in school. Today he is a passive spectator, allowed to sit in his class only out of sympathy. In another village, Kudavachangapra and his wife toil hard in their field. For the family to sustain, everyone has to pitch in. But their daughter Sheikalama can no longer help. Two years ago, Sheikalama fell ill. The disease crippled the family economically. They spent around 375 dollars for treatment. All in vain. Sheikalama survived, but spends the day lying on a cot outside the small house so that anyone nearby can help if she cries out. Her little sister, a spitting image of what Sheikalama was two years ago, is too young to understand. She wants her sister to get well soon and to accompany her to school. An estimated 3 billion people in Asia are at risk of infection by the JE virus. Spread by mosquitoes, there is no medical treatment for JE. Sadly, 30 percent of those infected by JE do not survive. As the JE virus spreads, hope recedes. That is something Allama knows too well. She lost her daughter to the virus a few years ago, despite trying everything she could to save the girl. Over the last few decades, JE has infected nearly 10 million children, killing over 3 million and causing long term disability to 4 million more. JE vaccination is the only effective way to put an end to this tragedy.