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Encephalitis claims 7 in Darrang district

By CORRESPONDENT

MANGALDAI, Aug 12 � Seven persons have died and several others affected as Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and the acute encephalitis like diseases have taken a serious turn in Darrang district.

The situation seems to be alarming as new cases of affected patients have been reported almost every week. Significantly, it is observed from the records of the district health department that the victims are mostly children.

According to sources in the district malaria department, Chayanika Deka (14) of village Kamarpara, Gossaigaon, Mangaldai was the first case of JE in the district, who was found positive on May 25 last.

The girl child who reportedly recovered after being treated in GMCH recently, once again turned serious and had to be readmitted. Since May 25 last the number of JE positive cases recorded is as many as 14 and among them 5 have already died. Moreover, 7 other cases have been categorised under Acute Encephalites Syndrome (AES) and two such syndrome cases have also been recorded as dead bringing the total number of death cases during this period to seven.

The victims have officially been identified as Sagarika Sarma (10) of village Byaspara, Sipajhar; Poli Deka (2 yrs 6 months) of village Duwaripara, Sipajhar; Tashlima Khatun (8) of Kharupetia; Joneswari Devi (60) of village Goaljhar, Sipajhar; Putuli Deka (38) of village Dhekipara, Sipajhar, Narayan Ch Saikia (52) of village Gharowa- Sonapur, Sipajhar and Hema Kanta Sarma of Ward No. 7, Mangaldai.

On the other hand, apart from Chayanika Deka, Sagarjyoti Deka (3) of village Dakchaki, Maniul Haque (8) of village Baghpori, Mangaldai, Prasanta Deka of Burhinagar, Sipajhar, Najimuddin Ahmed of Pakabangi-Khabaichuba, Sipajhar, Jintu Kalita (14) of Dhekipara, Sipajhar, Rupam Nath (5) of Bamunjhar, Pathorighat, Phulkan Deka (65) of Bhuktabari, Sipajhar, Waz Ali (47) of Pakabangi, Sipajhar, Debendra Bora (55) of Gharowa-Sonapur, Sipajhar, Jageswari Rajbongshi (60) of Khalihoi, Sipajhar, Harmohan Bora (40) of Bhuktabari, Sipajhar, Ranjan Barua (36) of Naharbari-Jaljali and M Ch Nath (76) of Mangaldai have already been found affected by the virus, as informed by Shyam Barua, District Malaria Officer.

The local health department has taken some remedial measures like fogging, holding of a few awareness meetings etc., but this does not seem to be sufficient considering the intensity of the disease. It may well be mentioned that last year also six persons died in the district after being affected by the disease.

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