Adding to the rising death toll of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) victims across Assam, Hailakandi district has recorded the first victim of JE.
The Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) authority on Monday evening confirmed that Ibochangmocha Sinha, the head teacher of Indramoni Public High School, Lala, died of JE on Saturday.
The district has registered two positive JE and two Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases this year.
District media expert (DME) Monika Das informed that the patients afflicted with JE and AES have been recuperating.
Also read: Assam: Japanese Encephalitis death toll rises to 50
“There is no patient from Hailakandi district presently undergoing treatment at SMCH,” said Das.
Meanwhile, the health authorities have intensified awareness campaigns in schools and in vulnerable areas to combat JE.
Also read: Assam health minister announces free treatment for Japanese Encephalitis patients
Fogging operations have been going on in 23 villages with 32 villages already covered in the first round.
More than 15,000 mosquito nets have been impregnated.
A total of 22 blood samples were screened at SK Roy Civil Hospital at Hailakandi on Monday and no JE positive cases were detected.
A total of 42,004 fever cases have been screened till date.
Hailakandi deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli has been reviewing the situation constantly with the health officials and directed them to leave no stone unturned to combat JE and AES.
Health authorities have revealed that 70 Multipurpose Health Workers and Surveillance Workers have been engaged to combat JE and they are making visits to the villages.
DME Das said that there is no shortage of testing kits, including blood slides and the department has sufficient stock to combat JE and AES.