Assam: Japanese Encephalitis claims 23 lives in 15 days

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• Jul 16, 2022 | Dhupali Das

With this, Assam has reported 160 JE cases since July 1....

Digital Desk: At least 23 people have died in 15 days since the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam, National Health Mission (NHM) report said on Friday. 

Reportedly, the mosquito-borne disease claimed four more lives in the last 24 hours, bringing the state's death toll to 23. From the Nalbari and Morigaon districts, two deaths each were reported. 

On the other hand, 16 new cases of Japanese Encephalitis were reported in the state in the last 24 hours. The NHM report stated that while Barpeta, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong East, and Hojai each reported one case, Nagaon recorded four cases, Sivasagar two, and Nalbari and Udalguri districts each reported three cases.   

With this, Assam has reported 160 JE cases since July 1.

The disease has spread to lower Assam districts like Barpeta, Kamrup Metropolitan, Nalbari, and Udalguri, as well as upper Assam districts like Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, and Lakhimpur. It has also affected central Assam districts like Nagaon, Hojai, and Morigaon, as well as the hill district of Karbi Anglong East. 

 Dr. R. L. Nunisa, joint director of health services (Malaria) and state program officer for the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, said that the situation with Japanese encephalitis in Assam is being monitored and that every preventive measure is being taken to fight with the disease.

Japanese encephalitis cases are increasing in the state during the current transmission season. In addition, the flooding and extreme heat have made things worse. All around the state, awareness campaigns and fogging activities have been stepped up. To prevent the disease from spreading, mosquito nets sprayed with insecticide are being given in the afflicted districts," Dr. Nunisa added.