Japanese Encephalitis
Representative image.

The vector borne diseases like Japanese Encephalitis, Swine Flu, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) are taking toll over the lives in Assam.

There have been several reported positive cases of JE, AES in Udalguri district.

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Udalguri has reported six and 14 positive cases of JE and AES respectively while in JE, five of them are undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

One is lodged at Tezpur Mission Hospital where in one patient identified as Prabhu Bhakat (56), an inhabitant of Khusubil near Paneri in Udalguri have died in GMCH.

“Many fresh cases are expected as samples of patients with symptoms have been sent and reports awaited” said, Joint Director of Health Services, Udalguri, Dr Tayabur Rahman.

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While another child, Sonali Guri, (6) an inhabitant of Dhansirighat in Udalguri who was diagnosed with AES also died as per sources in district medical department.

Besides the preventive measures the single most important preventive method is vaccination against Japanese encephalitis.

The vaccine is freely available through the Government of India for children (1 to 15 years), and the adults can get the vaccine through private clinics.

“Control of these diseases requires robust disease surveillance and integrated vector management on a sustained basis, ensuring universal coverage of evidence-based key interventions based on sound epidemiological data” said a health official.