Another Japanese encephalitis death in Assam, the toll rises to 38.

GUWAHATI: Another Japanese encephalitis death in Assam, the toll rises to 38. With one fresh death, the death toll from Japanese encephalitis in Assam has risen to 38 this month.

15 new cases were recorded in the state, taking the caseload to 251. The new death due to the infection was reported from Biswanath district in the last 24 hours, the National Health Mission, Assam said in a press release.

According to the NHM, since July 1, at least 38 people have died and 238 people have fallen ill after contracting the vector-borne disease in more than 20 of the 35 districts.
With the direction of NHM officials, District Rapid Response Teams have been formed to closely monitor the situation and take precautionary measures.

Japanese encephalitis and malaria kill many people in Assam every year, especially during the monsoon season which usually starts in May and lasts until October.

Principal Secretary, Health, Avinash Joshi and NHM Director M.S. Lakshmi Priya is in close touch with the district authorities and asked them to be proactive in dealing with the situation

The NHM has also issued a standard operating procedure and guidelines to deal with the situation arising out of the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.

Health workers are conducting mass awareness campaigns against Japanese encephalitis.