Guwahati: Japanese encephalitis (JE) has claimed at least 85 lives in Assam over the past two months, according to the health department.
The state has seen up to 390 cases of the virus since July of this year.
A viral brain infection called JE is spread by mosquito bites. The virus—found in pigs and birds—is transmitted to the insects when mosquitoes bite infected animals.
A District Rapid Response Team was established in July to address the situation due to the recent increase of JE cases.
According to official sources, all SOPs and directives distributed by the National Health Mission (NHM) are being adhered to across the districts for case detection, management, and referral.