GUWAHATI, Sept 14 - Although it is a very critical time for the health sector of Assam with the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases and fatalities, a positive development amid the crisis is that the health department has achieved commendable success in containing Japanese encephalitis (JE) in the State. This deadly disease had claimed 161 lives in the State in 2019.
According to data revealed by the department, till September 13 this year as many as 314 JE cases have been reported in the State and among them altogether 50 patients succumbed to the disease. Notably, during the corresponding period last year, Assam had reported 630 JE cases with 154 of those proving fatal.
Talking about the present situation vis-a-vis JE, an official of the department said, �This time we have been carrying out extensive awareness drives along with continuous monitoring and supervision at the grassroots level by involving religious leaders and groups along with members from Panchayati Raj institutions. Especially, as per data available till date, the number of JE cases has come down drastically in the endemic districts and the districts where the adult vaccination drives for the disease were carried out in the first part of the year. Meanwhile, in a few districts distribution of long-lasting insecticide bed nets is also going on.�
As part of the JE preventive measures, Monalisa Goswami, Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, is also constantly reviewing the status in every district through regular video conferences and visits to various endemic districts. Officials and consultants from the State headquarters have been accompanying her during such visits.
It may be recalled that in the first part of the year and before start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health department had started adult vaccination drives for JE in Goalpara, Kokrajhar and South Salmara districts. Till the outbreak of COVID-19, the vaccination drives covered 87.77 per cent adult population in Goalpara district, 46.27 per cent adult population in Kokrajhar district and 29.5 per cent adult population in South Salmara district.
As per data revealed by the department, till September 13, seven JE cases were reported in Goalpara and 18 cases in Kokrajhar district. In both the districts, JE has claimed two lives each so far. Meanwhile, in South Salmara district no JE case has been reported so far.
