Japanese Encephalitis May Turn Epidemic: Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday informed the Assam Assembly that his department will resume the vaccination drive against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) from November 1. He also warned that the JE might turn epidemic in the State.

Himanta Biswa Sarma told the Assembly that both the Centre and State Government are very serious about the JE scene and are taking various steps to reduce the number of deaths. “Only five districts were affected by JE when I was the health minister in 2006. The disease has now spread to 27 districts. More districts are likely to be affected. The disease might turn epidemic in the State,” he said.

According to Sarma the disease has claimed 125 lives so far this year and the number of child deaths is comparatively less this time due to successful vaccination drive. He said misconception among a particular community had hit the adult vaccination drive launched soon after the BJP came to power in the State in 2016.

“The number of adult deaths due to JE in minority dominated districts where the adult vaccination drive did not succeed is more this time. JE has no treatment and vaccination is the only way to prevent the disease,” Sarma said urging the MLAs of minority dominated Dhubri, Barpeta, Darrang, Bongaigaon and Goalpara constituencies to motivate people to go for vaccination.

The health minister said the government will constitute a task force comprising all MLAs to make the next vaccination drive from November 1, a success.

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