By IANS,
New Delhi : The group of ministers (GoM) formed on Japanese encephalitis, which has claimed over 400 lives so far in eastern Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district this year, will meet soon, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here Tuesday.
“A number of ministries and departments at the centre and state will have to be involved to tackle the disease. The GoM will be meeting soon,” Azad told reporters at the centenary celebrations of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The government Saturday formed the GoM, comprising Azad, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Social Justice Minister Mukul Wasnik, Minister of Rural Development, and Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh, and Minister of State (Independent charge) for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath.
Azad had visited Gorakhpur a few days back.
The virus, which causes inflammation and infection in the brain, has also affected parts of Balrampur and Santnagar districts.
Gorakhpur’s BRD Medical College, with a bed-strength of 200, was the only referral centre for the bordering regions that were affected by the disease.
The monsoon sees an upsurge in Japanese encephalitis cases due to humid weather that proves ideal for mosquito breeding.