Rising JE Threat in Assam: Health Dept Flags High-Risk Zones After 24 Deaths

As the monsoon advances across Assam, so does the threat of Japanese Encephalitis (JE), with the state reporting 252 confirmed cases and 24 deaths due to the viral infection between January 1 and July 11, 2025. The National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, has launched a fresh awareness campaign urging people to take preventive measures against the disease, which is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites.

The District Epidemiological Situation Report, released on July 11, reveals that Nalbari has emerged as the most affected district with 19 JE cases, followed closely by Darrang and Golaghat, each reporting 18 cases. Kamrup (R) and Jorhat also remain high-risk zones with 17 and 15 cases, respectively.

The highest number of deaths have been recorded in Barpeta (3), while Darrang, Kamrup (R), and Tinsukia have each reported 2 deaths. Alarmingly, the virus has now been detected in 35 districts, indicating a widespread threat.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

According to NHM Assam, Japanese Encephalitis manifests with high-grade fever, severe headache, confusion, convulsions, unconsciousness, and difficulty speaking. The disease can rapidly turn fatal if left untreated.

Paddy fields, irrigation canals, blocked drains, and stagnant water sources serve as breeding grounds for the Culex mosquito, the primary carrier of the JE virus. The transmission cycle typically involves mosquitoes picking up the virus from infected birds or pigs and then passing it on to humans.

Awareness Drive and Preventive Measures

In a renewed public health advisory, NHM Assam has urged residents to adopt rigorous mosquito-control measures, especially in rural and flood-prone areas. Key guidelines include:

• Avoiding visits to waterlogged areas (like rice fields) during dawn and dusk, when mosquito activity peaks.

• Wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing.

• Sleeping under mosquito nets.

• Using insect repellents, coils, or indoor sprays.

• Maintaining clean surroundings and avoiding water stagnation in and around homes.

The government has also directed that pig-rearing units must be located at least 100 metres away from human settlements and advised the use of mosquito nets for pig sty farms. Pigs are known amplifiers of the JE virus, producing high viral loads that make them key hosts in the infection cycle.

Vulnerable Zones & Health Response

Districts with double-digit case counts include:

• Nalbari – 19 cases

• Darrang – 18 cases (2 deaths)

• Golaghat – 18 cases

• Kamrup (R) – 17 cases (2 deaths)

• Nagaon – 16 cases (1 death)

• Jorhat – 15 cases (1 death)

• Barpeta – 14 cases (3 deaths)

• Kamrup (M) – 13 cases

• Karbi Anglong (East) – 13 cases (1 death)

• Lakhimpur – 11 cases (1 death)

• Sivasagar – 10 cases

Meanwhile, districts like Dima Hasao, Hailakandi, and South Salmara have not reported any deaths so far.

Health officials have urged the public to call 104 for medical queries and dial 108 for ambulance services in case of suspected JE symptoms.

Call to Action

With JE now firmly entrenched across Assam’s landscape, the NHM’s warning is clear: early detection and prevention can save lives. Authorities are intensifying community-level surveillance, vaccination of livestock, and awareness campaigns in high-incidence zones.

The fight against Japanese Encephalitis must be rooted in collective responsibility, as the virus continues to thrive in Assam’s floodplains and monsoon-affected terrain.

Also Read: Japanese Encephalitis Scare: Cases Soar in Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar