Claiming a significant reduction in cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrom and Japanese Encephalitis Uttar Pradesh government claimed that it was aiming to eradicate the diseases through vaccinations and making people aware about virtues of drinking water from deep boring and wash their hands regularly.
The government has also announced to set up five more Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in to deal with AES and JE The new ICUs would be set up at Rae Bareli, Sitapur, Hardoi, Azamgarh and Gonda districts by next month. With this the total number of ICUs for AES/JE would go up to 15 in the state.
State Principal Secretary (health) Arvind Kumar told reporters here on Monday that the there was remarkable reduction in the number of patients and deaths due to all forms of encephalitis.
“In 2014, the total number of encephalitis patients in UP was 3262 which came down to 2787 this year – reduction by almost 14 per cent. Similarly there is 27 per cent decline in mortality. last year 597 persons died of this disease while this year the number is 436,” he said.
Kumar said that all the ICUs would be strengthened by this month. Additional doctors and para-medical staffs would be deployed.
Though the official did not give any specific time to eradicate the disease, he said that efforts were underway on the right direction. “Use of deep boring tube wells for drinking water purpose and washing of hands regularly could prevent the disease,” he said.
Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Deputy Commissioner Immunization, said that in India there are 204 endemic districts in 21 states. Following a massive outbreak in 2005 in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Government of India introduced the JE vaccination program in 2006, and till date about 11.5 crore children have been immunized.
In 2015, JE vaccination campaigns were also conducted in three states – West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh due to the emergence in children above 15 and adults.
“In Uttar Pradesh, the adult campaigns were conducted in six districts of Gorakhpur and Basti Division where in 38 lakh beneficiaries were immunized,” he said.