By IANS,
New Delhi : More than 350 cases of Japanese encephalitis and nearly 90 deaths due to the viral disease were reported in Assam this year, the Rajya Sabha was told Tuesday.
“There were 351 cases and 89 deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis reported in Assam till Aug 9 in the current year,” Minister of State for Health and Family and Welfare Sudip Bandyopadhyay said.
Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing inflammation of the membrane around the brain, often fatal if not treated soon.
“For the prevention and control of the vector-borne disease, including Japanese encephalitis, the Indian government is implementing an integrated National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) under the National Rural Health Mission,” the minister added.
Vectors are the transmitters of disease-causing organisms that carry the pathogens from one host to another.