Govt to go for vaccination drive as precaution: Hek
SHILLONG: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday said there was no positive case of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) among the 17 patients tested in West Garo Hills while the state government prepared for a vaccination drive to contain the disease.
Shillong-based Regional Director, Regional Office of the Health and Family Welfare Dr SD Majumdar told The Shillong Times on Friday that the 17 cases do not fit into the clinical definition of the disease as laid down by the World Health Organisation.
“We have examined and not a single case fits into that particular definition,” he said. “There is nothing serious and people should not panic,” he added.
Admitting that there is some virus in the environment, he said that the government is taking all necessary steps.
He said that last year there were a few cases of Japanese Encephalitis in Garo Hills and the virus would usually go without causing much harm.
“The situation here is totally different from Bihar,” he said. Over a hundred children have died from the disease in that state in recent days.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh said, “We have combined teams of JE specialists and officials of Veterinary and Health departments are visiting different areas of Tura and teams are conducting IEC activities in vulnerable areas”.
Pointing out that normally in municipal areas people cannot rear cattle and animals, he said that they are removing maximum pigs from Tura town and this will continue.
He also informed that fogging has already started in Chandmari area of Tura town.
Meanwhile, the state government has decided to go ahead with vaccination of the people in its bid to stop the spread of the disease.
Health Minister AL Hek on Friday told reporters that he had discussed the matter with the chief minister and the department has been asked to work out the expenditure for the vaccination.
Informing that all the 17 cases are being treated in OPD, Hek said that the disease so far has been reported only in and around Tura.
“We are taking measures and alert has been sounded in the entire state,” the health minister said.