JE scourage continues with 5 more death; toll at 340

Gorakhpur, Oct 11 (UNI) The deadly vector-borne Japanese Encephalitis (JE) toll has mounted to 340 with five more deaths of children today in this district of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Among the deceased two each belonged to Deoria and Kushinagar, whereas one was of Gorakhpur, official sources said.

The scourage has killed several thousands people in the region over the last decade.

As per official sources, JE menace generally erupt in Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Sant Kabirnagar, Deoria, Kushinagar, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Azamgarh, Gonda, Bahraich, Mau, Ballia and Balrampur districts of UP.

The endemic afflicts eastern UP during monsoon every year and continues to take people under its jaws till the onset of winters.

Gorakhpur has the dubious distiction of being the JE epicentre in the region and due to the lack of medical facilties, patients from Nepal, also come here for treatment.

Sources said this year total 1804 JE cases were reported of which 340 people have died.

Eigteen new cases came to light today, of which 12 were discharged from the hospital, whereas 158 JE patients were still in remission.

The toll, includes 35 patients of Bihar and two of Nepal.

The government undertakens a massive vaccination drive against the vector-borne disease every year, however, the efficacy and penetration of the drive comes under cloud with the mounting toll.

UNI PDM RL AS2004