Japanese Encephalitis: All districts of Assam except Kokrajhar under influence of this disease

July 6: Assam is currently undergoing a transmission season for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) with 190 reported positive cases between Jan-5 July, 2019. All districts of Assam except Kokrajhar district are currently under influence of JE. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the situation is under control. According to information, this year a total of 46 people have died of Japanese Encephalitis so far in Assam.

In a press conference held at Janata Bhawan, Guwahati on Saturday, Minister Biswa Sarma said, “All the doctors, ASHA workers and nurses will not get leave till the month of September 2019 and they can’t take casual leave of 15 days during this period. Cases will be registered against those doctors and nurses who avail leave during this period and leaves will be granted in emergency situations with prior approval of the Deputy Commissioner of the district.”

He further said, ““The treatment and medicines for Japanese Encephalitis patients, who are treated in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of medical colleges’ hospitals, will be free. The state government will make payment to the medical colleges for the treatment. The Japanese Encephalitis affected patients, who undergo treatment in private nursing homes, will also get financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh from the state government.”

2/8 JE can be identified through symptoms like High fever with headache, change in mental status like confusion, disorientation with or without seizure. Diagnosis can be done by Mac Elisa Test & cerebra spinal fluid (CSF) of admitted patient with neurological sign & blood Serum.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 6, 2019

Arrangement of fogging has been made in these villages, said Sarma, adding that more 108 and 102 ambulances have been arranged for the Japanese Encephalitis patients. Patients who cannot avail the services of 108 and 102 Ambulances, transport allowance of Rs 1,000 will be paid by the government.

Sarma further informed that blood samples of 12.8 lakh people of the state have been collected so far and a person should immediately go for a medical checkup if he/she is suffering from common flu and fever.A special incentive of Rs 5 will be paid by the government to Surveillance Workers, ASHA, ANM workers per blood slide collected by them.