Japanese Encephalitis outbreak amidst Covid-19 in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam, especially Guwahati, is facing the wrath of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). The vector-borne disease breaks out when the state is reeling under Covid-19.

According to NHM (National Health Mission), as many as 8 JE new cases were reported on Saturday, besides one death. The break-up of fresh JE cases on Saturday was Barpeta-3, Dibrugarh 2, Kamrup Metro-1, Nagaon-1 Sivsagar-1, besides one death in Dibrugarh. The Cumulative JE cases reported in this season (July onwards) are 82. The cumulative JE death in this season (July onwards) is 8.

Principal Secretary, Health, Avinash Joshi chaired a video conference with all districts on the current AES/JE situation. NHM |Mission Director Dr M S Lakshmi Priya was also present at the video conference. The Principal Secretary directed the districts to form a District Rapid Response Team each on AES/JE, from July 11 to 16 under the guidance of their respective Deputy Commissioners.

The SoP/guidelines communicated by MD, NHM Assam was to be followed by all the districts for AES/JE case detection, management and referral. Districts are to have a control room phone number for AES/JE cases and this should be shared with the public for any emergencies and to ramp up awareness activities at the ground level. The meeting also directed to timely verification and sharing of the data with the State headquarters.

Also Read:  Assam: Japanese Encephalitis Claims 7 Lives in 8 Days, Over 70 Cases Registered

Also Watch: