Japanese Encephalitis Claims Lives of Two Minors in Assam

In a series of tragic incidents, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has claimed the lives of two young children in Assam, reigniting public concern over the state’s preparedness and response to the recurring threat of vector-borne diseases.

The first case was reported from Miri village in Borpathar, Golaghat district, where a six-month-old infant, Chintu Narah, died after battling the viral infection. Chintu, the second child of Moon Narah and Junu Narah, had initially shown symptoms of fever and headache. He was first treated at a local healthcare centre in Borpathar. When his condition did not improve, he was shifted to Golaghat Civil Hospital and remained there for seven days.

Subsequently, the child was referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) for advanced treatment. Despite receiving medical care for 13 days—five of which were at JMCH—the infant succumbed to the illness. The death has sent shockwaves through the local community, which is now urging the health department to take immediate preventive action against the spread of Japanese Encephalitis in the area.

In a separate and equally devastating incident, a five-year-old boy, Devajit Pangging, from Dimow Dem village in Silapathar, also lost his life to JE. Devajit had been undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, for over two weeks. He passed away late Saturday night, around 11:30 PM.

His bereaved mother has alleged gross negligence on the part of the health department, claiming that the authorities failed to conduct timely fogging and mosquito control operations in the locality, which may have contributed to the spread of the virus.

Tragically, these are not isolated incidents. Just days earlier, another child—three-year-old Punachang Doley, son of Lalit Doley from Arsi Borgayan village in Silasuti—had also died of Japanese Encephalitis. The pattern of repeated fatalities within a short span has raised alarms across Dhemaji and Golaghat districts.

Devajit’s mother has appealed to both government authorities and the general public, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and immediate referral to advanced healthcare facilities like AMCH, particularly when JE symptoms manifest in children.

As the community grapples with these back-to-back tragedies, pressure is mounting on the health department to act decisively. Residents and local health activists are demanding intensified fogging drives, public awareness campaigns, and comprehensive vaccination coverage to prevent further loss of life.

Japanese Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne viral disease that primarily affects children, remains a serious health challenge in Assam, particularly during the monsoon months. Despite periodic outbreaks in the past, repeated lapses in preventive measures have continued to endanger vulnerable communities.

With public trust in the health system at stake, authorities now face growing calls to launch an urgent, district-wide anti-JE drive before the situation escalates further.

Also Read: Japanese Encephalitis Claims 13 Lives at GMCH in Three Months