Japanese Encephalitis claims 24 lives in Assam this year 

Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 22 (ANI): Amid the flood-like situation in the state, the vector-borne disease Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has claimed 24 lives in Assam this year.
According to the state Health Department, a total of 432 people across the state have been infected with the disease, and 24 people have lost their lives.
Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta told ANI that the state Health Department has taken all preventive measures across the state and directed all government hospitals to provide free treatment to patients infected with the disease.
“The department is working to deal with Japanese Encephalitis in the state. Earlier, we had given the JE vaccine to the people, and we will continue it. We are trying to bring the situation under control. Up until now, 24 people have died due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in the state this year. The Case Fatality Rate is lower this year compared to the previous year. We have taken all preventive measures. We have instructed all government hospitals to provide free treatment to patients infected with the disease. If any patient has gone to the private hospital for treatment, we have given them Rs 1 lakh,” Keshab Mahanta said.
He further said that the health workers are regularly visiting villages and remote areas.
On the other hand, many patients infected with Japanese Encephalitis have been admitted to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Dr Abhijit Sarma, Superintendent of GMCH, told ANI that this year Guwahati Medical College has had 44 cases of Japanese encephalitis, and last year there were 103 cases.
"Out of 44 cases, presently 17 cases are getting treated. 16 patients died. We have set up 12 HDUs, or High Dependency units. We also have specific beds for the JE patients, and if needed, we will increase the load for these cases. We are trying our best to control it," Dr Abhijit Sarma said.
Deepak Barman, a local resident of Guwahati, thanked the government for its initiative to control the Japanese Encephalitis disease in the state. (ANI)