Assam Reports 3 More Deaths Due To Japanese Encephalitis, Several Infected

Morigaon:  Three more persons in Assam's Morigaon district have died due to Japanese encephalitis, while 11 other patients are undergoing treatment for the disease, an official said on Wednesday.  

The deceased have been identified as Rajamani Medhi (22), Imrana Begum (7) and Bhabakanta Nath (66).

“Among the deceased was Rajamani Medhi, 22, who died at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday, after being diagnosed with the disease last week,” he added.

Meanwhile, five cases of malaria were also reported, and all the patients have recovered, District Malaria Officer Supriya Das said.

Cases of both Japanese encephalitis and malaria were reported after the flood waters receded.

Amid the flood situation in the state of Assam, the vector-borne disease Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has claimed 10 lives at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) this year so far.

What is Japanese Encephalitis? 

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes.JEV is the main cause of viral encephalitis in many countries of Asia with an estimated 68 000 clinical cases every year.

“There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection,” stated the World Health Organisation. 

A person with the disease Japanese Encephalitis will typically have either no symptoms at all or only minor ones. Fever and headache are moderate symptoms, while nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, speech impediment, and spastic paralysis are severe ones.

Assam recorded the highest number of JE-related deaths in 2006. The disease had caused almost 1,500 deaths.