JE and AES toll in Assam 277

The death toll in Assam due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) this year has risen to 277, the state's Health department today said.
JE claimed 80 lives and affected 466 persons, while 197 died due to AES and 1217 were hit by the disease, Joint Director, Health Services, Malaria Dr B K Barua told PTI.
The disease has spread to 24 of the 27 districts with the Lower Assam districts of Barpeta, Nalbari, Darrang, Kamrup (Rural), and Kamrup (Metro) being the worst affected, while the Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia, North Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, and Golaghat also hit by the disease, officials said.

To combat the disease, the department is continuing with measures such as fogging, regular supply of vaccines and medicines to hospitals, district hospitals and other health centres, besides awareness campaigns at all administrative levels, including the local panchayats, they said.