Guwahati: Japanese Encephalitis claims 4; 32 under treatment at GMCH

Staff reporter

Guwahati: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has claimed four lives in Assam over the past month, even as health authorities struggle to contain a steady surge in cases across the state. The deceased include three children—aged 7, 10, and 12—and an 81-year-old man. The fatalities were reported from Bajali, Baihata Chariali, Nalbari, and Nagaon districts.

Currently, 32 patients diagnosed with JE are undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). A senior official at GMCH told this reporter, “We have received 32 confirmed cases of Japanese Encephalitis. Unfortunately, four patients have succumbed to the infection. The victims include children and an elderly individual, highlighting how vulnerable these age groups are to the disease.”

According to hospital data, the number of JE cases began rising in April, with all four deaths recorded in June. Health experts link the surge to seasonal factors such as stagnant water and increased mosquito breeding during the monsoon.

“Affected areas have a high presence of paddy fields and pig farming—both known contributors to JE outbreaks,” said an official from the National Health Mission (NHM). “These factors, combined with water accumulation during the rains, significantly boost mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of transmission,” the official added.

In response, health authorities have issued advisories urging residents in rural and semi-urban regions to adopt preventive measures, including the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets, clearing stagnant water, and avoiding the consumption of water from unsafe sources.

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