Dibrugarh, Jul 16 : Health authorities in Assam have sounded an alert following the recent death of 34 people owing to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome ( AES) in Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts.
"In Dibrugarh, seven persons have died of Acute Encephalities Syndrome and 13 others are suffering from the disease. Though no one has died of Japanese Encephalitis so far, five persons from Barbaruah and Nahoroni have tested positive. They are at present undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital," joint director of health (Dibrugarh) DN Bangthai said on Friday.
He added that preventive measures have been taken in the form of immunization drives, fogging and spraying of mosquito-repellents. In neighbouring Sivasagar, the situation has been worse with as many as 27 deaths being reported from various parts of the district. The worst affected areas have been Geleky, Demow and Gaurisagar.
"So far, six persons have died of Japanese Encephalitis and 21 have succumbed to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. Fifteen others have tested positive of Japanese Encephalitis and 53 of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome," said Sadhana Dutta, joint director of health (Sivasagar).
NHRM media expert (Dibrugarh) Rituraj Borthakur said the number of Japanese Encephalitis cases have come down in the district compared to previous years' due to the mass vaccination drive for children between the age group of 1-15.
"The percentage of Japanese encephalitis deaths in upper Assam is comparatively higher than the rest of the state because of the high percentage of pig population. Domestic pigs and wild birds are the carriers of the Japanese Encephalitis virus. Stagnant rainwater is the breeding ground for culex mosquitoes, which are the vector of the JE virus. The only way to effectively control JE is through vaccination," he added.
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