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UWAHATI: Assam figures among the top five states that are highly prone to malaria and Japanese Encephalitis. According to National Vector Borne
Disease Control Programme records, 1,195 people in the state have died of the two diseases since 2005. Of them, 714 have died of malaria and 481 of Japanese Encephalitis.
In 2009, 396 cases of Acute Encephalitic Syndrome have claimed 78 lives. Of them 28 died due to Japanese Encephalitis and the remaining 50 by Acute Encephalitic Syndrome. On the other hand, malaria has afflicted 41,737 people and claimed 59 lives.
Although there is cure for malaria, there's no specific medicine for Japanese Encephalitis. This has prompted the state health department to approach the Centre to import Japanese Encephalitis vaccines for adults. These vaccines are currently administered to children up to 15 years here.
According to health officials, the Japanese Encephalitis causing Culex mosquito breeds in primarily in paddy fields and stagnant water. Conditions of piggeries located close to human habitats makes it easier for mosquitoes to transfer the virus from pigs and wild birds into humans. But the Culex mosquito bites when people are in the open and not indoors.
On the contrary, the Anopheles mosquito that causes Malaria breeds in clean water specially those of springs and water falls with dense population. Besides, this particular breed bites people in the darkness of the night and hides inside the house in the daytime.
Health officials also admit that activities such as fogging and spraying of DDT cannot totally curb these mosquitoes from multiplying. "Mosquitoes die after coming in contact with gas sprayed during fogging. But effects of fogging do not remain for long and renders ineffective in killing all the mosquitoes in a particular area. Moreover, DDT can be sprayed only on walls inside a house and not outside. This is because crops and water after coming in contact with the insecticide gets contaminated. The humid and moist climate also helps mosquitoes breed during the summers," said a senior official from the state health department.
As precaution, people should always sleep inside mosquito nets, wear long sleeves while venturing out in the evenings and keep their surroundings clean. Piggeries should be situated at a safe distance from human homes. Besides, timely medical intervention plays a pivotal role in treating these diseases.
"Anyone suffering from Japanese Encephalitis should avoid travel. The symptomatic treatment given to a patient in medical colleges for the disease is same that is available in district hospital," said A Hussain, joint director of the state health department.
UWAHATI: Assam figures among the top five states that are highly prone to malaria and Japanese Encephalitis. According to National Vector Borne
Disease Control Programme records, 1,195 people in the state have died of the two diseases since 2005. Of them, 714 have died of malaria and 481 of Japanese Encephalitis.
In 2009, 396 cases of Acute Encephalitic Syndrome have claimed 78 lives. Of them 28 died due to Japanese Encephalitis and the remaining 50 by Acute Encephalitic Syndrome. On the other hand, malaria has afflicted 41,737 people and claimed 59 lives.
Although there is cure for malaria, there's no specific medicine for Japanese Encephalitis. This has prompted the state health department to approach the Centre to import Japanese Encephalitis vaccines for adults. These vaccines are currently administered to children up to 15 years here.
According to health officials, the Japanese Encephalitis causing Culex mosquito breeds in primarily in paddy fields and stagnant water. Conditions of piggeries located close to human habitats makes it easier for mosquitoes to transfer the virus from pigs and wild birds into humans. But the Culex mosquito bites when people are in the open and not indoors.
On the contrary, the Anopheles mosquito that causes Malaria breeds in clean water specially those of springs and water falls with dense population. Besides, this particular breed bites people in the darkness of the night and hides inside the house in the daytime.
Health officials also admit that activities such as fogging and spraying of DDT cannot totally curb these mosquitoes from multiplying. "Mosquitoes die after coming in contact with gas sprayed during fogging. But effects of fogging do not remain for long and renders ineffective in killing all the mosquitoes in a particular area. Moreover, DDT can be sprayed only on walls inside a house and not outside. This is because crops and water after coming in contact with the insecticide gets contaminated. The humid and moist climate also helps mosquitoes breed during the summers," said a senior official from the state health department.
As precaution, people should always sleep inside mosquito nets, wear long sleeves while venturing out in the evenings and keep their surroundings clean. Piggeries should be situated at a safe distance from human homes. Besides, timely medical intervention plays a pivotal role in treating these diseases.
"Anyone suffering from Japanese Encephalitis should avoid travel. The symptomatic treatment given to a patient in medical colleges for the disease is same that is available in district hospital," said A Hussain, joint director of the state health department.
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