The death toll due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam has increased to 38 this month after another person died of the disease, National Health Mission (NHM) informed on Friday.

According to data from NHM, as many as 15 new cases of the virus were recorded in the state in the last 24 hours taking the active caseload to 251.

Meanwhile, the death due to JE was reported from the Biswanath district of Assam.

At least 38 people have died from JE since July 1 and 238 people have been infected in more than 20 districts of the state, NHM informed.

The NHM has also directed setting up of District Rapid Response Teams to keep a check on the situation and take required preventive measures.

The principle secretary of health Avinash Joshi and director of NHM M S Lakshmipriya are in closely monitoring the situation and are in constant correspondence with district authorities.

Standard operating procedure (SOP) was also issued by the NHM to tackle the outbreak of JE.

It may be noted that as many as 40 deaths were reported due to the virus last year, officials informed.