Peak period of Japanese Encephalitis over: Health department

GUWAHATI: Assam state health department finally breathes a sigh of relief as Japanese Encephalitis cases reported on a daily basis has gone down considerably in the last couple of days. However, four more JE deaths, one each from Chirang, Barpeta, Dima Hasao and Sivasagar districts, were reported on Friday.
Till Friday, 124 people have died due to JE in Assam since January, while the total number of JE positive cases stood at 544 across various districts. State surveillance officer in Assam health department, BC Bhagabati, told TOI that within a week, the number of fresh JE cases are likely to come down significantly. He added that the peak-period of JE outbreak in the state is over. "During a certain period, it (JE) grows, reaches its peak and then starts declining. Human efforts like surveillance, control measures and fogging is helping bring down the number of JE cases," Bhagabati said.
He said on an average, 25 to 35 fresh cases of JE were reported on a daily basis during the peak period in mid-July. In the last couple of days, it has reduced to 8 to 10. "New JE cases are declining. Within a week, we are expecting significant decline, though, one or two cases may be reported," Bhagabati added. He, however, said that the trend towards July-end is going to be crucial as that determines the trend in August.
Sources in National Health Mission (NHM) said this year recorded the highest number of JE cases in the upper and northern Assam districts of Lakhimpur district (45 cases), followed by Sivasagar (38 cases) and Sonitpur (37). However, when it came to JE deaths, two lower Assam districts - Goalpara and Kamrup - have been the worst. NHM figures stated that while 12 JE deaths - highest in Assam this year - were reported from Goalpara, 11 deaths were reported from Kamrup district. After Goalpara and Kamrup, Jorhat and Dibrugarh in upper Assam were among the worst-hit places reporting nine deaths each till Friday.