Imphal, July 14 2010: At least nine persons, including the Pastor of Khunthak village under Kasom Khullen sub-division in Ukhrul district have reportedly fallen ill with symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) .

It is said that apart from infections from mosquito bites at Khunthak village claiming the life of a 14 year old boy and scores still awaiting hospitalisation suspected JE cases had been spreading at the Indo-Myanmar border village since the last few days.

According to Kasom Khullen Sub-division Development Association chairman Jojo Robertson, out of the nine persons infected in Khunthak village, condition of four is stated to be serious.

Khunthak village is about 10 kilometres from the sub-divisional headquarters.

Jojo informed that ailing persons showed similar symptoms of fever, dizziness, lethargy and vomiting.

While admitting that he is not an expert in the matter, the Association functionary nevertheless said considering symptoms of the ailing persons the disease is likely to be JE or of a similar case.

Conveying that the grief-stricken Khunthak and nearby villagers are fearing even worse situation in case measures to check the spread is not taken up at the earliest, he also described the prevailing situation as grave due to inaccessibility to the border villages as the only road is in dilapidated condition.

Moreover, inadequate man-power and absence of medicines at the PHC and PHSC within the sub-division is complicating the situation, he maintained.

Stating that absence of basic medical facilities in the village is compelling even the seriously ill to stay and suffer at the village, Jojo expressed hope that efforts being made to bring the sick and ailing here in Imphal tomorrow would materialise.

It is also said that a medical team from Imphal had arrived at the border villages about a week back but their findings have not been revealed to the locals till date.

Jojo desired that assessment by the medical team be declared as to whether suffering of the people are JE infections or related to mosquito bites.

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