Japanese Encephalitis In Malkangiri: Death Toll Increases To 30

Bhubaneswar: The death toll due to the spread of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) disease has increased to 30 while 67 are undergoing treatment in Odisha’s Malkangiri on Wednesday.

“While 30 deaths have been reported so far, 67 are affected in Malkangiri district. Of 30 deaths, 15-17 were JE affected and rest were Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) affected,” said Health Secretary Arti Ahuja.

Ahuja the district administration is in the process of shifting pigsties to the outskirts of villages.

Mosquito nets are being distributed among the villagers, she added.

The disease is spread among humans through mosquitoes. A child gets the disease if a mosquito bites him/her after biting an infected pig. However, the administration was unable to come up with a solution to check the disease.

Meanwhile, the health minister and secretary after visiting several affected areas asked all the BDOs of the district and local representatives to ensure the removal of piggeries from human habitation and hygiene in villages.

The pigs are being kept in makeshift enclosures which are far away from the village, said the Health secretary.