There is no letup in the grip of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Malkangiri district. Two more children died of the killer disease on Saturday at the Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), taking the total toll to 54 in last 37 days. The deceased were identified as Rami Madhi (5) of Barjaguda village under Padia block and Saila Madkami (1) of Ponarguda village under Korakonda block in the tribals-dominated district.
At least 40 children are now undergoing treatment at the DHH, and six of them have been admitted to the ICU, sources said.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy told reporters here that there is no plan of the Government to opt for culling of infected pigs en masse in Malkangiri district.
He, however, said a decision to this effect would be taken after consultation with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
"As of now, we have no plan to go in for mass culling of JE-infected pigs. Whatever decision to this effect will be taken will be after holding talks with the CM," said Maharathy.
Around 9,500 pigs have been kept in different enclosures away from the affected villages in Malkangiri district as they are the source of the deadly JE virus.