The Hindu : National : 500 encephalitis deaths in U.P., says Anbumani

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Saturday, Dec 01, 2007
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500 encephalitis deaths in U.P., says Anbumani

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Nearly 500 people have so far lost their lives to Japanese encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh this year, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

In a written reply to a question, Dr. Ramadoss said: “Till November 23 this year, the State health authorities have reported 2,450 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and 499 deaths in Uttar Pradesh.”

Every year, Japanese encephalitis which has a cyclic trend with seasonal phenomenon, claims hundreds of lives in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Gorakhpur district in the eastern part of the State. A majority of the victims are children.

Tobacco-related deaths

To a question on tobacco-related deaths, Dr. Ramadoss said that as per the Report of Tobacco Control, 2004, every year approximately 8-9 lakh people had been dying due to tobacco-related illness, while 50 per cent of the cancer-related deaths were attributable to tobacco consumption.

As per the National Family Health Survey of 2005-06, 57 per cent men and 10.8 per cent women consume some form of tobacco. According to the 1998-99 survey, 46.5 per cent men and 13.8 per cent women consume tobacco.

“It is proposed to establish the National tobacco Regulatory Authority to ensure effective implementation of the laws that among other things ban smoking in public places and prohibit direct and indirect advertisement of cigarette and other tobacco products,” the Minister said.

In the 11th Plan, Rs. 450 crore had been provided under the National Tobacco Control Programme.

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