Question : Japanese Encephalitis

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the districts prone to the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and number of cases and deaths reported in the country during the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to launch any vaccination programme against these diseases and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken/proposed by the Government for effective diagnosis, surveillance treatment and prevention and eradication of JE and AES in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): As per the reports submitted by the States/UTs, 257 districts are affected by JE and 442 districts are affected by AES. Statements indicating State/UT-wise, number of JE and AES cases and deaths reported during the last three years and the current year, are at Annexure - I & II.

(b):
• AES is caused by various reasons like bacteria, virus etc. of which only JE is vaccine preventable disease, for which vaccination is provided.
• As on date, out of 216 endemic districts, 198 have been covered under JE vaccination campaign in 1-15 years children. The campaign is followed by two doses of JE vaccine under Routine Immunization (at 9-12 months and 16-24 months) to cover the new cohort under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) since 2006.
• Adult JE vaccination has been completed in 5 districts of Assam and selected blocks of 7 districts of UP and 9 districts of West Bengal. More Blocks have been identified for Adult JE vaccination campaign (>15-65 years) in the States of West Bengal and Assam.
Contd……
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(c):
• A multi-pronged strategy has been adopted under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of JE/AES approved by the cabinet on 18.10.2012 in sixty high priority districts in 5 States of Assam, Bihar,
Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with the participation of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Women &Child Development and Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of School Education & Literacy). The Major components under the Programme include strengthening of JE/AES surveillance by establishing sentinel laboratories, reduction in case fatality rate by establishment of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at district level in 60 high burdened districts, capacity building in critical case management, JE vaccination, supply of safe drinking water, establishment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department in 10 identified medical college of five states.
• Number of Sentinel sites increased from 51 in 2005 to 130 at present.
• Apex Referral Laboratories increased from 12 to 15.
• Out of 216 endemic districts, 197 districts covered under JE vaccination campaign in 1-15 years children.
• Adult JE vaccination completed in 5 districts of Assam and selected blocks of 7 districts of UP and 9 districts of West Bengal. More Blocks have been identified for Adult JE vaccination campaign (>15-65 years) in the States of West Bengal and Assam.
• Till date funds released for 42 Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
• Funds have been released for 10 Physical Medicine Rehabilitation (PMR).
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