Guwahati: For the past few months, Assam has been dealing with another severe health problem than Covid-19. Mosquito-borne disease Japanese Encephalitis has claimed many lives in the state. It has become even more urgent after Assam experienced tremendous flooding.
One more death has been reported due to JE in Nagaon district on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Prabin Chandra Baruah from Amravati area situated in Kampur, Nagaon. He was being treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital where he was declared death. Five deaths have so far been reported in the Nagaon district’s Kampur, Kathiatali, and Kasuwa.
According to National Health Mission Assam, it has already claimed over 44 lives throughout Assam. In Assam, 274 JE cases have been documented in just the month of July. NHM Assam has released a number of guidelines to address the situation as a result of the increase in JE cases.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Government of India, Assam reported 660 JE-related deaths between 2015 and 2021.
A condition called Japanese Encephalitis is contracted by being bitten by an infected mosquito. It spreads primarily in rural regions. The start of monsoon season and the recent floods have caused mosquito breeding to increase across the state. High fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, coma, and convulsions are among the prevalent JE symptoms.
Wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing and trousers, using mosquito nets while sleeping, not letting water accumulate in empty containers, and avoiding going to areas with water accumulation during dusk and dawn because mosquitoes are more active during those times are just a few of the preventive measures suggested by NHM Assam.