The Hindu Business Line : Cells to monitor encephalitis in affected AP dists

THE State administration has established epidemic cells at all district medical and health offices to monitor and prevent the spread of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) disease. The Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the Health Minister, Mr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, reviewed the situation after the reported outbreak of the dreaded disease.

A total of 2.57 lakh children in 12 districts were administered a booster dose of the JE vaccine. ``Efforts are on to give vaccine to another 3.56 lakh children in 13 districts, who are vulnerable to JE,'' said Dr G. Mastan Rao, Director of Health (Govt of AP). ``We are in the process of acquiring 10 lakh doses of the JE vaccine,'' he said.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Dr Rao said diagnostic facilities were being made available at Veterinary Biological Research Institute (VBRI), Fever Hospital, in Hyderabad, and at Kurnool Medical College.

Besides, anti-larval operations were being carried out in 343 villages with the help of local bodies, he said. Asking people to co-operate with the State Government, Dr Rao said pigs should be reared at least 5 km away from habitats. ``Use mosquito repellents and neem smoke to drive away mosquitoes,'' he suggested.

Seven people have died of suspected JE virus in three districts of Khammam, Warangal and Kurnool in the last few weeks. Last year, 420 suspected viral encephalitis cases with 235 deaths were reported in 13 districts.

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