Outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis Sparks Fear in Titabor Tea Estate

A worrying outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has gripped the Dholi Samaguri Tea Estate in Titabor, with five confirmed cases, including children, reported from the area. Among the infected is a 7-year-old girl who is currently in critical condition at Jorhat Medical College.

The rising number of cases has spread panic among the tea plantation workers, who now fear for their safety amidst what appears to be an unchecked health crisis. Residents have expressed concern over the lack of preventive measures by both the tea estate authorities and the health department.

Workers allege that despite visible mosquito breeding grounds in clogged plantation drains, no effective steps have been taken to clean them. “The drains have not been cleaned for a long time,” a resident said. “Mosquitoes are breeding rapidly, and many people are falling ill. We fear the situation could worsen.”

While the health department reportedly carried out a fogging operation once, no follow-up action has been taken. The one-time fogging, locals claim, is insufficient given the rising number of infections and the severity of the situation.

Residents and tea workers have now demanded urgent intervention. “We want the government and the tea estate authorities to clean the drains and the surroundings,” one resident urged. “Unless mosquito breeding is controlled, all of us may be affected.”

As the number of infections continues to climb, locals are demanding that the tea estate authorities and the health department take action immediately and carry out appropriate interventions to prevent a wider health crisis. 

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