Seven cases of Japanese Encephalitis detected in Arunachal Pradesh

As many as seven cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been detected in Arunachal Pradesh.

The state health department has launched a statewide drive for early detection and cure of Japanese Encephalitis. The step comes in the wake of the rising cases of the mosquito-borne disease in neighbouring Assam.

As per official sources, five cases were detected at Pasighat in East Siang district alone and one patient each from Upper Subansiri and Papum Pare district have also tested positive for the viral disease.

Of the five cases in Pasighat, one is a 15-year-old girl. In Naharlagun area of Papum Pare, a two-and-half-year-old girl has been admitted at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences.

There are apprehensions that the numbers may rise as reports from vulnerable districts like Tirap, Changlang, Longding, Namsai and Lohit have not arrived yet.

The state government has issued an advisory to all districts to contain the spread of the disease and instructed officials to take adequate preventive measures, such as intensified fogging and focal insecticide spray.

Meanwhile the number of deaths due to encephalitis has gone up to 71 in Assam and number of positive cases have shot up to 334.

One suspected case has been reported in Mizoram. The state health machinery has been put on alert and government has stepped up precautionary measures. Tripura too has been put on alert.