Jeypore/Malkangiri: As the death toll due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) continues to rise in Malkangiri district, the bordering Koraput district has taken cleanliness drive to curb mosquito menace as precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of killer virus.
“Mosquito repellent is being sprayed by the municipality authorities. Veterinary officials have collected the blood samples of pigs who are the carrier of the disease. The samples will be sent for examination. If it is tested positive for the encephalitis virus, appropriate action would be taken”, sub-collector Krutibas Rout said.
Similarly, a special awareness campaign has been carried out to persuade people to use mosquito net, he added.
Additional district medical officer Tarun Kumar Padhi said “We have taken the blood samples from eight pigs and will send these to laboratory for examination”.
A two-year old child was suspected to have died of encephalitis. The blood sample of the dead kid has also been sent for examination.
Meanwhile, worst-hit Malkangiri district has started providing cooked food to the kids suffering from Japanese fever and their mothers. The victims in Korakonda and Kalimela blocks are getting the benefits at 479 Anganwadi centres. Mosquito nets have been distributed among the people.
Three kids have been admitted to the hospital today. Notably, 44 children succumbed to the vector-borne disease in last 32 days in the Malkangiri district.