E Singhbhum plans to focus on hygiene to check JE spread

JAMSHEDPUR: In the wake of suspected cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) being reported from across the district, the East Singhbhum district health office has announced an action plan to mitigate the spread of the disease.
District civil surgeon Dr S K Jha said that a comprehensive action plan (CAP) will be in place to prevent the spread of the disease in all blocks of East Singhbhum.
“The action plan, which is being drafted currently, focuses largely on the cleanliness aspect.It will also focus on spreading mass awareness about the measures to thwart potential JE outbreak,” said viral disease surveillance officer, Dr Sahir Pal.
Sundernagar, Pursudih, Bagunnagar, Baghbera, Jugsalai and Mango, among other areas in the district, have been identified for the sanitation drive after nearly 10 suspected cases of brain fever were reported in the last 72 hours.
Few suspected JE cases from neighbouring district of West Singhbhum have also been reported. An intense fogging drive and sprinkling of bleaching powder in water-logged areas in the district will also be carried out by the health department.
“We will also hold a meeting with Jusco officials for carrying out effective cleanliness drive in its command area,” said officials in the civil surgeon’s office.
The medical examination of the patients suspected with the disease is being done in the microbiology department of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital.
“Five cases have been found negative while the reports of other patients is being awaited,” said Dr Pal.
District health officials are doing their best to contain the spread of JE in the district because it has been susceptible to a similar outbreak in the past.
“In 2014, we encountered over two dozen positive cases of JE,” said health department officials.
Japanese Encephalitis is a disease caused by a flavivirus. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause inflammation of the membrane around the brain.
Mission 'Indradhanush', which was launched on Tuesday by the Centre, started with a "catch-up" campaign from April to July will cover all children up to two years and pregnant women, Health Minister J P Nadda said, stressing that the programme will be monitored for its effective implementation.
The mission in addition will also provide vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenza Type B in selected districts.
Sundernagar, Pursudih, Bagunnagar, Baghbera, Jugsalai and Mango, among other areas in the district, have been identified for the sanitation drive after nearly 10 suspected cases of brain fever were reported in the last 72 hours.