Surge in Japanese Encephalitis cases in Assam; more than 15 dead

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Come monsoon and vector-borne diseases pose a serious health problem in Assam. This year too, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has taken a serious turn in the State.

As per official data, more than 15 people have died due to JE-like diseases in the State this season. Till Thursday, five people had died in the Dhemaji district, seven in Majuli, three in Sivasagar, four in Jorhat and five in Charaideo. The number of JE cases is on the rise across the State, and this has set off alarm bells. All district authorities are on alert. The medical colleges have made necessary preparations to tackle the outbreak of the disease.

According to health department sources, JE cases are reported in Assam from July to September every year. This year, cases were reported from mid-July.

JE is a viral brain infection spread by mosquitoes. JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex species mosquitoes, particularly Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The risk of acquiring infection is usually high in areas close to paddy fields, water bodies, and pig habitats.

In most cases, a person infected with JE will show no symptoms at all, or maybe mild symptoms. The mild symptoms include fever and headache while the severe symptoms are tremors, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, inability to speak and spastic paralysis.

To avoid getting infected with JE, certain precautionary measures can be taken. For protection from mosquito bites, people should wear clothes with long sleeves, use mosquito nets, insecticides and repellents, prevent accumulation of water and keep drains and their residential surroundings clean. To avoid contracting JE, it is advisable to get vaccinated. A Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) vaccine was introduced in the Indian Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in endemic districts.

In 2006, Assam reported the highest number of deaths due to JE. Around 1,500 had died of the disease. Last year also, JE-like diseases had claimed 77 lives in July-August.

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