Central team lauds Assam for Japanese encephalitis fight

Guwahati: The Central team of the Union health ministry in its assessment found that Assam is the most vulnerable state of the country for Japanese encephalitis (JE), but casualty was very less in comparison to its vulnerability because the state health department managed it very well.

Informing that extensive vaccination of children in vulnerable areas has minimised the dearth toll, authoritative sources in the health ministry told this newspaper that the Central team, which assessed the situation, has directed the state to carry out another round of vaccination for those children who were left out in the first round of vaccination.

It is significant that the state health department has recorded 21 deaths and detected at least 69 positive cases of Japanese encephalitis (JE) across the state till June 30.

The Central team in its review meeting found that earlier only Upper Assam districts were vulnerable to JE but over the years, Lower Assam and Brrak Valley areas are equally prone to this deadly disease.   

Pointing out that JE cases have been reported from 20 districts of the state so far, sources said that maximum number of JE cases have been reported from Jorhat and Kamrup districts. Assam had registered 94 JE deaths and 509 positive cases in 2018.

Informing that the Central team has directed the state to start fogging in vulnerable areas, sources said that the situation was under control as of now, but July and August are critical months.

“We have also asked the state government to start awareness campaign to alert the people,” sources said, adding that state government has asked for more diagnostic kits and adult vaccines.

Pointing out that Assam was the first state that introduced the adult vaccination to check Japanese encephalitis, sources said that the ministry has agreed to fulfil their demand at the earliest.