AGARTALA, July 28 (TIWN): Four positive cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE)in the last 48 hours have been detected in Tripura recently, three cases are from Raishyabari, Gandacherra and Salema of Dhalai district and one case is reported from Bhati Abhoynagar of Sadar sub division said M. Nagaraju, Secretary of Health & Family Welfare. Speaking to reporters at secretariat on Monday, Mr. Nagaraju informed that one out of four confirmed cases are receiving treatment at the respective health centres and three of them have been released after treatment.

He said that municipalities and other local bodies in all eight districts have taken up huge cleanliness drive and have undertaken fogging activities in pig farms and paddy fields to control the disease. The health secretary has appealed to the civil society to remain alert to prevent the spread of the disease by following the do's suggested by the department. He said preventing the virus form breeding in stagnated water sources could go a long way in averting the disease.

The preventive measures are simple and similar to that of malaria and other vector borne diseases since the vector for JE virus is the 'culicine-mosquito’ which breeds in stagnant water in drainage and paddy fields.

The suggested do's for its prevention and control are reduction of breeding source for mosquito larvae by eliminating water logging and stagnation around households and environment, sleeping inside mosquito bed nets, disposing household wastes and garbage in identified places properly and consulting nearest health centres and hospitals for any acute onset of fever associated with abnormal behaviour, change in mental status (confusion), fits and rigidity to rule out Encephalitis infection, Mr. Nagaraj said.

The health secretary will visit Gandacherra and Longtarai valley tomorrow to take stock of the situation of malaria and JE.