As many as 11 positive cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) have been detected in Arunachal Pradesh, a statement from the health department said on Monday.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes. JE is the main cause of viral encephalitis in many countries of Asia with an estimated 68 000 clinical cases every year.
Lobsang Jampa, the state’s senior statistical officer for integrated disease surveillance programme said that five positive cases have been detected in East Siang district and three from the Papum Pare district.
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He also said three other patients, each from Upper Subansiri, Lohit and Kra Daadi districts, have been tested positive for the viral disease.
However, no deaths have reported from anywhere in the state till date due to Japanese Encephalitis. All the eleven patients who have tested positive with JE virus are under treatment in various hospitals, Jampa said.
“There is no cause of alarm. Any cases of fever with stiffness of body, drowsiness, etc should be reported to health facilities for confirmation and treatment,” Jampa said.
He said the state’s department of health and family welfare has initiated all preventive measures and other necessary steps in the wake of the rising cases of the mosquito-borne disease in neighboring Assam.
Meanwhile, the medical officers of all the districts have been alerted and asked to step up their surveillance, anti-vectors measures and information, education and communication (IEC) activities.