Japanese Encephalitis Death Toll Rises to 50 in Assam

Guwahati, July 7, 2019:

The death toll of deadly vector-borne disease Japanese Encephalitis has risen to 50 in Assam. The death toll has risen to 50 after the death of an elderly woman in Haflong's Civil Hospital on Saturday, as previously reported by Inside Northeast.

The deceased has been identified as Kunjalata Hakamkasa. She is a resident of Hatikhali area of Dima Hasao district. The death of the 60-year-old is the first case of death due to Japanese Encephalitis in Dima Hasao district this year. However, a similar case had been reported last year in which the patient had also died.

Dr. Dipali Barman of the hospital, while talking to media persons said that this is the first case of the deadly disease in the hospital. Last year too a person belonging to Hatikhali had died at the disease due to the disease, she said.

“The only prevention is to ensure that you do not get bitten by mosquitoes”, she said.

Meanwhile, the Assam Government, through a press statement has informed that drugs like Paracetamol, Mannitol, IV fluids and other antibiotics are available free of cost in every public health institution.

It may be mentioned that the treatment and diagnostic cost at Medical Colleges and District Hospitals are being borne by the State.

A certain number of beds in all the ICU and wards have been reserved for patients with JE/AES in all district hospitals and Medical Colleges.

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