Guwahati: The number of deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam rose to 38 this month after another person died of the disease, National Health Mission (NHM) informed on Friday.
15 additional instances of the virus were reported in the state in the previous day, bringing the number of active cases to 251, according to NHM data.
Meanwhile, the Assam’s Biswanath district reported a JE-related death.
According to NHM, 238 people have been infected with JE in more than 20 districts of the state, and at least 38 people have died from it since July 1.
The NHM has also directed the formation of District Rapid Response Teams in order to monitor the situation and implement the necessary preventive measures.
The principal secretary of health Avinash Joshi and director of NHM M S Lakshmipriya are constantly monitoring the situation and are in frequent contact with the local authorities.
The NHM has released a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address the JE outbreak.
It may be noted that officials reported up to 40 deaths last year that were reportedly caused by the illness.