Leo Club of Silchar spreads awareness on Encephalitis Syndrome

July 15:  A total of 11 out of 59 Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) deaths have been reported across the state on 11 July, 2019. Three people died from JE out of 25 positive cases. Total JE and AES deaths increased to 156 out of 1204 cases reported in the state.

It is in this backdrop that Leo Club of Silchar took in hand a unique awareness programme at Silchar.  Members of the club conducted a door to door awareness campaign on health, hygiene and cleanliness with special focus on Japanese Encephalitis, at Itkhola & Ghoniala area of Silchar on Sunday. People were made aware  about this disease and informed them the ways to take precaution.

The target group was explained the importance of cleanliness. Team Leo Club of Silchar distributed leaflets and bleaching powder among the households that they visited. Speaking to way2barak, Anupriya Deb said, “There were a large number of deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis recently and our main intention is to make people aware about this and the safety measures which they should adopt.”

It may be mentioned that Jorhat is the highest affected district with 23 patients undergoing treatment in Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) which is followed by Kamrup (Metro) district with 12 patients in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and five in Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH).

Japanese encephalitis is a virus spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It’s more common in rural and agricultural areas. Most cases are mild. Rarely, it causes serious brain swelling with a sudden headache, high fever and disorientation.