Assam contributes to 50% of all cases in India and reports 26 Japanese encephalitis deaths

According to government sources, Assam has recorded 12 more Japanese encephalitis deaths in the last week, raising the state's total number of deaths from the illness this year to 26. This is a worrying development.
The greater worry is that the virus has already infected 33 out of 35 districts, with just Hailakandi and Dima Hasao untouched. The state government has notified all district health officials of this development.

 "Japanese encephalitis is endemic to Assam. Every year, we have cases of JE and the virus, the vector, and the host. Every element of the disease is present in Assam. About 50 percent case load of Japanese encephalitis in India is in Assam," Dr. Lakshmanan, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam told NDTV.

The virus, mosquito vector, and intermediate hosts, such as pigs and birds, are all year round in Assam, where Japanese encephalitis is endemic. There have been 300 confirmed cases of JE virus infections in Assam this year alone.
Since April, the number of Assamese cases of the disease has increased. According to Dr. Achyut Baishya, Principal of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the sickness is impacting people across all age categories, although children under 10 and elderly over 60 are the most vulnerable.

 "These cases have started coming from the month of April itself and casualty is increasing. It has all age groups but it is more among those below 10 years and above 60 years," Achyut Baishya said.