Encephalitis toll mounts to 114 in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: The death toll due to Japanese Encephalitis mounted to 114 as one more child undergoing treatment at district headquarters hospital died on Sunday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Suresh Madkami of Kamalapadara area under Korakonda block in the district.

Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed on the Japanese Encephalities outbreak in Malkangiri, the Orissa High Court on November 17 served notices to the Union and State Health secretaries. The court asked them to reply within 2 weeks. Moreover, the court has also served notice to the Malakangiri collector.

Also read: Besides JE, Encephalopathy cause of kids’ death in Malkangiri: Expert team

Notably, the PIL was filed by the bereaved parents of a child and a lawyer. The PIL has sought constitution of an experts’ team to find out the cause of the disease, free health services in affected areas and compensation to the families of the deceased.