The National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) at National Health Mission interacted with all districts to review the status of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam.

Assam currently has 331 AES cases and 48 Deaths which includes 148 Non JE Cases, 24 Non JE Deaths and 183 JE Cases, 24 JE Deaths.

Monalisa Goswami, Commissioner & Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Assam presided over the meeting in the presence of Dr. Lakshmanan. S, Mission Director, NHM and Joint Director cum State Programme Officer (SPO) NVBDCP, Assam.

Goswami reviewed the status of AES/JE in state and instructed all to ensure that the laboratories are functional and the Elisa Reader and Washer (Equipments to test) wherever needed will be replaced soon.

Earmarking of JE Beds and ensuring the availability of the same in all District Hospital and Medical Colleges was stressed by Goswami. Additionally, the monitoring and supervision need to be strengthened and IEC/awareness activities too should be rigorously done at all the districts and special focus should also be given at the Tea Garden areas in Assam.

The Commissioner Secretary had further instructed all concerned officials to regularly conduct Field Visits, to ensure that District Task Force Meeting is conducted in close coordination with the different Departments for better management of AES and JE, stated an official release.