As there is no letup in the death of children due to Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri district, the State Government on Tuesday came out with an action plan to tackle the vector-borne disease.
On Tuesday, three more children died at the Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) taking the toll to 30 so far.
While Priya Madkami (2) of Badali under Korakonda block died late on Monday night during treatment at the DHH, Dinesh Padiami (3) of Namkonda under Kalimela block died at the medical in the wee hours of Tuesday. Similarly, a 2-year-old baby girl of Kalimela block died at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak chaired a high-level meet to chalk out strategies to tackle the menace.
“A committee will be formed at the district level to tackle the disease. The district administration has prepared plans to isolate the Japanese Encephalitis virus-infected pigs. In order to curb the disease, it is necessary to involve people from grassroots level in the action plan,” said Nayak.
He said that for this, a meeting in the presence of local sarpanches, ward members, samiti members, block chairman and block-level authorities would be held soon.
“Japanese Encephalitis has no treatment. Hence, emphasis is being laid on stopping spreading of the disease. The Malkangiri district Collector has prepared an action plan to keep the infected pigs away from villages and control mosquitoes. It is necessary to identify the disease as soon as possible for which it has been decided to rope in informers at villages,” said the Minister.
“It has been decided to arrange extra beds at the District Headquarters Hospital. Besides, there would be provision of extra vehicles in each block to carry affected persons to the hospital,” said Health Secretary Arti Ahuja.