NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Aug 8 - Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases are on the rise in Lakhimpur with deaths of six persons since January this year. JE is a deadly disease characterized by inflammation of brain and high fever and is a type of acute encephalitis syndrome (ASE). The vector-borne disease is transmitted by culex mosquitoes.
According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NDGCT), 73 acute encephalitis cases have been reported in Lakhimpur district between Januarys to July this year, of which 43 have been found to be positive.
More cases have been reported from Boginodi, Nowboisa and Borsala where people generally do not take precautionary measures. Considering the gravity of the situation, the district health officials have taken a slew of initiatives to prevent outbreak of the disease. The Joint Director of Health stated that 1, 700 awareness meetings had already been conducted in various parts of the district, especially in the remote areas of the district.
�Vaccination and intensive fogging has been done in the affected areas all over the district,� he said, adding that proper mapping of the affected areas is a must to control the disease.
