AGARTALA, Aug 2 (TIWN): The state health department has taken all necessary steps to prevent the spread of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and is closely monitoring the current situation in the state, said Health Secretary M. Nagaraju.

Talking to TIWN at civil secretariat he requested the people to be calm and participate in vector control which is the mosquito, similar to the preventive measures taken for prevention of Malaria. Informing that treatment of JE is symptomatic and medicines are available in hospitals for its treatment, the state epidemiologist, Mr. Nagaraju appealed the people to ensure use of mosquito net/ bednets during sleeping hours.

The people should allow fogging operation of the department to go on and keep open all doors and windows during fogging operation. It should be ensured that no water logging takes place in and around houses where there is a chance of breeding of mosquitoes.

A senior official of health department revealed that no vaccine will be effective during transmission season as it takes minimum one to two months to develop immunity to the virus and in outbreak season when the virus is virulent, these vaccines may not help. Vaccination gives a false sense of security and is not recommended by Govt of India during the transmission/ outbreak situation.

It is observed that due to panic amongst the people, JE vaccines are given privately in many dispensaries and people are rushing in for vaccinations. It must be ensured that these dispensaries maintain proper Cold Chain of 2-8 degree Centigrade and sterile precautions are observed.Meanwhile according to official sources four person was tested positive and JE germs was found in their blood.