Assam Has 50% of India's Japanese Encephalitis Cases

Virus spreads to 33 districts in the state, officials rush to contain fast-growing JE outbreak.

- Nibir Deka

In a concerning development, Assam has reported 12 additional deaths from Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in the past week, bringing the state's total fatalities from the disease this year to 26, government sources told TSG.

The bigger concern is that the virus has now spread to 33 of 35 districts, with only Dima Hasao and Hailakandi remaining unaffected. The state government has sent alerts to all district health authorities.

Dr. Lakshmanan, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, has raised concerns about the ongoing JE situation in the state, stating that Assam remains one of the most severely affected regions in the country.

With over 50% of India's JE caseload being reported from the state, officials are urging heightened public awareness and early detection to save lives.

Speaking to TSG, Dr. Lakshmanan explained that Japanese Encephalitis is a viral, mosquito-borne disease that can affect individuals across all age groups—from infants to the elderly. He emphasized that JE is endemic in Assam, with the virus, mosquito vector, and intermediate hosts like pigs and birds being prevalent year-round.