Imphal, July 14 2010: Des-cribing the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which has already claimed the lives of some persons and infected many others while 'Anti-Malaria' month is being observed, as a tragedy, Director of State's Health Services, Dr Y Yaima has stated that anti-viral drugs to prevent more se-rious implications are now available here in Imphal.

The Director's announ-cement, though comes in the backdrop of yet another confirmation of all 10 samples examined at National institute of Communicable Diseases, new Delhi as JE positive.

The Director conveyed availability of anti-viral drugs to newspersons during a media briefing based on official report received today by the Health Services from the Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh where samples were sent after suspected JE outbreak had claimed the lives of 13 persons with about 86 currently being treated at medical centres of the State.

It is pertinent to add here that under the National Vector Control Programme the State Malaria Office had been campaigning to create awareness cum prevention on diseases related to malaria, encephalitis and others spread through mosquito bites.

Stating that the Dibrugarh centre has sent a report that out of 27 samples referred to it, 24 cases have been confirmed as JE-positive, the Director asserted that based on the confirmation, necessary measures to check further spread of the killer disease have been chalked out.

Informing the case histories of patients from the hill districts have led to the revelation that most of them might have been infected during their stay/visit to Imphal or other plain areas, the Director confided that a meeting of Department officials presided by him thoroughly deliberated on preventive steps to be taken up in the coming days.

Insisting that examination results and case history studies have confirmed that 9 persons have succumbed to JE with 61 others hospitalised with similar cases, the Director conceded that inspite of the unavailability of drugs to fully cure JE infections, anti-viral drugs procurable from various medical outlets of the capital market would be helpful in ensuring infected persons overcome the ailment.

Y Yaima further declared that an official order would be issued within a short time to take up preventive measures such as launching of awareness campaigns and fogging activities at identified disease-prone areas.

further informing that two fogging machines have been provided to each of the districts so as to undertake preventive measures, the Director said not only preventing mosquito bites but also prompt treatment in case of infection can guarantee public safety.

Out of 18 samples sent to NICD, New Delhi for examination information has been received today suggesting that 10 samples have tested positive even though an official report from the laboratory authorities is likely to come tomorrow, Yaima maintained and adding that examination of all the samples sent by the State Health Services has not been completed at the time of the media briefing.

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