Japanese Encephalitis claims 27 lives in Odisha

Vector-borne disease Japanese Encephalitis is spreading fast in Odisha's Malkangiri district with the death toll reaching 27 on Monday.

The Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh assistance to tackle the disease in the district, said an official.

The amount was sanctioned to the Chief District Medical Officer to purchase medicine and necessary equipment, he added.

Meanwhile, state Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Health Secretary Arti Ahuja and Animal Resources Secretary Bishnupada Sethi visited the district on Monday to take stock of the situation.

"We will investigate the whole matter properly. The Health Secretary, along with a team of doctors and specialists, have visited the camp here and undertaken preventive measures to tackle the disease," said the Health Minister.

Nayak said the Animal Husbandry Secretary was also with them to find out measures to isolate pigs -- the main carriers of this disease.

"We will take all preventive steps to check the menace after discussions with the District Collector," the Minister said.

--IANS

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