DIBRUGARH, June 10 - A minor, Rupam Nayak of Bihubor, Sivasagar, with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) died at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) here last night. He was admitted to the AMCH around 2 pm yesterday in a very serious condition, Dr Ratan Kotoky, principal, AMCH, said.
At present, at least 10 adults with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome are undergoing treatment at the AMCH. Among them, eight are male and two female. �Investigation is going on for each of the cases. Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has not been confirmed as yet,� the AMCH head stressed.
The Centre had rushed two specialist doctors � Dr Manoj Singh (paediatric neurologist) and Dr S Chakrovorty (pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine) � in July last year to study the cases of Japanese Encephalitis in the region, as the disease claimed 27 deaths in Upper Assam in 2015. The two doctors visited patients at the AMCH and also went to the affected areas of Lahoal and Borborooah. They also visited the Paediatric Department of the AMCH.
Several cases of JE and AEC are referred to the AMCH from different parts of Upper Assam, including from the neighbouring States. Some patients get diagnosed with JE, while several others suffer from AES. Deaths due to both JE and AES are reported every year. The incidence is usually higher in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.
