Centre very serious about Japanese encephalitis, AES: JP Nadda

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Wednesday assured that the Centre is very serious about preventing the spread of Japanese encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), adding that state governments will be provided with the necessary financial and technical help to contain the disease.

"The Centre is very serious about Japanese encephalitis and AES. We will take every possible step to prevent it. Regarding this, I met with health secretaries from five states: Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar," Nadda told ANI.

"During the meeting we assessed the being work done to contain Japanese encephalitis. We have assured the state governments that the Centre will provide them all the help needed to contain this disease," Nadda added.

Meanwhile, speaking on swine flu, Nadda said that hospitals across the country are well equipped to handle the disease.

"Swine flu cases are being monitored. We are prepared to handle it and there is nothing to worry about. Our hospitals are well equipped to handle swine flu," he said.

The Health Minister's statement comes at a time when several of cases of Japanese encephalitis, AES and swine flu have emerged in the country.