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Tuesday, Dec 15, 2009
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Research group to study JE virus

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: A research group will be set up to study the virus that spreads Japanese Encephalitis (JE). It will be located at Gorakhpur, one of the worst-hit districts, and will function under the Indian Council of Medical Research, Minister of State for Health Dinesh Trivedi told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Replying to a calling attention motion, Mr. Trivedi said a department of physical medical rehabilitation would be opened at the Gorakhpur Medical College for studying disability among children affected by the disease. A campaign would be launched to highlight the need for hygiene to prevent its spread.

Yogi Adityanath of the BJP and Jagdambika Pal of the Congress, MPs from Gorakhpur and Domariyaganj, sought to know what steps the government had taken to control the spread of the disease.

Call to MPs

Mr. Trivedi said Japanese Encephalitis was reported mainly from areas where paddy was grown and pigs were reared. Mosquitoes transmitted the disease from pigs to humans and birds, and hygiene was a major component. He sought the cooperation of all MPs to spread hygiene and sanitation among those who practised piggery for livelihood.

As many as 4,185 cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), including Japanese Encephalitis, were reported from 11 endemic States till December 7 this year, and 666 people, including 545 in Uttar Pradesh alone, died, he said.

For proper surveillance and laboratory diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis, 51 sentinel surveillance centres were identified in the endemic States, and 113 test kits provided this year.

Furthermore, 13 apex referral laboratories were identified across the country to find out etiological (disease causing) agents.

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