Eight Japanese Encephalitis cases detected in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland; health officials urge preventive measures and prompt reporting.
DIMAPUR — Eight cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) have been reported so far this year from Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland districts.
District Vector Borne Disease Consultant (DVBDC) Dimapur, Peter Sangtam, told Eastern Mirror that two JE cases were detected in June, followed by five in July, while one case was recently reported from Bade village in Chümoukedima.
He added that only three dengue cases have been recorded in the three districts this year, the latest from Chümoukedima.
Urging the public to take preventive measures, Sangtam said JE is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause severe neurological complications and, in some cases, death, particularly among children and the unvaccinated. Pigs are considered amplifying hosts for the virus, he said.
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To reduce the risk of infection, he advised using mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, keeping surroundings clean, eliminating stagnant water, and regularly cleaning and covering water storage containers. Unused items such as tyres and flowerpots should be kept dry.
Sangtam further urged residents to promptly report suspected JE symptoms—such as fever with neck stiffness, confusion, or seizures—to the nearest health facility, and cautioned against relying solely on traditional remedies.