Guwahati — Assam has recorded seven deaths from Japanese encephalitis (JE) since January 1, 2026, and 32 fatalities from acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) up to June 17, the State unit of the National Health Mission (NHM) said in a statement issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The NHM said Assam reported 35 JE cases and seven JE deaths and a total of 470 AES cases during the same period.
Assam NHM executive director Abhijit Sarma clarified that JE is one cause of AES but that not all AES cases are linked to JE. He cited National Centre for Vector-Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) figures showing 35 JE cases and seven JE deaths in the state up to June 17, compared with 470 AES cases that resulted in 32 deaths during the same timeframe.
National data underscore Assam’s disproportionate burden: between January 2018 and March 2026, NCVBDC records show 609 JE deaths in Assam and 376 JE deaths in the rest of the country — roughly 62% of India’s JE fatalities in that period. Outbreaks of JE and AES in the region typically occur from May to October, peaking in July and August.
Sarma said the state government has stepped up preparedness for the annual AES–JE season, strengthening surveillance, case management, hospital readiness, vaccination coverage and interdepartmental coordination. He stressed early detection and timely referral as priorities for reducing fatalities.
Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal, speaking during an inspection of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), said Japanese encephalitis remains a persistent public‑health challenge despite intensified control efforts. He noted the disease’s complex transmission cycle involving mosquitoes, pigs and environmental factors makes complete eradication unlikely, underscoring the need for sustained prevention and community-level measures during the high-risk months.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/assam/assam-reports-7-je-32-aes-deaths-this-year-state-steps-up-preparedness/54597/
Category: Assam,Japanese Encephalitis (JE),National Health Mission (NHM)
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Publish Date: 2026-06-19 12:46:00
