Japanese Encephalitis: NHRC seeks detailed report from Health secy, Malkangiri collector

New Delhi:  Taking suo motu cognizance of the media report on the death of 30 children due to Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri district, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today served notice on Malkangiri collector and state Health & Family Welfare secretary asking them to submit a detailed report including the steps being taken by them, within four weeks.

The disease has spread to several villages in the district.

Reportedly, the Encephalitis virus develops in the pigs and is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans. Allegedly, the social workers and the district authorities are of the opinion that culling of pigs is not possible and the only solution is vaccination of the children, which would be done from next year.

The Commission observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise issues of violation of right to health and life of the people.

The Commission, while issue notices, also observed that the authorities have to be sensitive towards the need to maintain cleanliness in the area.  There is an urgent need to create awareness among the villagers towards the health hazard which is related to their tradition of rearing of pigs as vaccination of the children to protect them from the deadly virus from the next year will be too late.