Guwahati: Japanese encephalitis (JE) deaths in Assam have doubled, with 11 fatalities reported as the number of cases continues to surge. Last week, the state recorded six JE cases. The Assam National Health Mission (NHM) and health department had withheld JE data for several weeks before disclosing it recently. According to Health Minister Keshab Mahanta, the state has detected 274 JE cases so far this year, compared to 325 cases last year, which resulted in 53 deaths. He attributed the relatively lower number of fatalities this year to increased awareness activities.
Mahanta confirmed that two JE deaths have been reported in Nagaon and Dhemaji districts, with one death each in Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Charaideo, Bongaigaon, Kamrup, Sivasagar, and Majuli districts. Most active JE cases are being treated at government hospitals free of cost, while patients receiving treatment in private hospitals receive Rs 1 lakh each from the government. Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Morigaon districts have been identified as high endemic areas for JE.
In addition to JE, Assam is also battling dengue, another vector-borne disease, particularly in the Karbi Anglong district. Two dengue-related deaths have been reported in the state this year, both from Karbi Anglong. Assam has recorded 2,122 dengue cases so far, with 1,853 cases reported in Karbi Anglong, 49 in Dima Hasao, 33 in Kamrup (Metro), 25 in Kamrup, and 19 in Jorhat. Health officials noted that compared to 27 dengue cases in August last year, this year has seen an unusually high number of cases.
Additionally, Assam has reported 244 malaria cases this year, slightly lower than last year’s 280 cases. It is crucial for authorities to implement effective measures to combat these diseases and protect the health and well-being of the population.
