National Health Mission expresses concern over JE
The NHM has issued a video message through Twitter educating people about the spread of Japanese Encephalitis
Published:
06 Jul 2022 06:00pm IST
06 Jul 2022 06:00pm IST
Along with dengue, Japanese encephalitis is another viral disease or infection which can cause swelling in the brain if not controlled at the correct time. This viral infection mostly spreads by the bite of an infected mosquito and is highly common in Asia and the West Pacific. It's also more common in rural and agricultural areas.
As per reports by the National Health Mission-Assam, the number of JE deaths in Assam in 2020 went down to 147 from 525 in 2014. Senior officials from NHM-Assam informed that the awareness programmes have resulted in the decrease in JE cases in the state. It can also be added that there are several pocket areas in Assam where JE are maximum. In such places, ASHA workers are sent to collect blood samples of the people and get them tested. People in such areas are advised to wear long-sleeve dresses and use mosquito nets even during daytime.
NHM Assam also issued a graphical representation through its Twitter account to educate the people regarding the start and spread of JE. The JE chain starts with a mosquito biting a bird and picking up the JE virus. The virus then gets passed on to another animal after it gets bitten by that mosquito. It then starts multiplying in the animal body. The mosquito then bites the infected animal and picks up the JE virus and eventually passes on the virus by biting a person and thereby infecting him
The symptoms a human may show after getting infected with JE are - acute fever, severe headache, mental irritation, convulsions, loss of consciousness.The symptoms a human may show after getting infected with JE are - acute fever, severe headache, mental irritation, convulsions, loss of consciousness.
To avoid or to prevent JE, it is important to avoid water-logged areas, use mosquito nets, keep the surroundings and drains clean, keep pig rearing areas 100 metres away from humans, wear long-sleeve (light coloured cloths)and use insecticides. Apart from these, vaccination is also a way to stay protected from JE.
Along with the video on the NHM Assam page, the Mission has also urged the people to rush to their nearby hospitals if any such symptoms are prominently seen or call on 104 (toll-free) number.
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