Nagaland’s Department of Health and Family Welfare issued a public advisory following the detection of nine Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases in the state this year. Transmitted by Culex mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water like paddy fields and ponds, JE is a severe viral infection causing brain inflammation, with potential for serious complications or death. The advisory emphasizes heightened vigilance during the monsoon season, when mosquito-borne diseases peak.

The department noted that for every symptomatic JE case, 300 to 1,000 asymptomatic infections may exist, highlighting the need for early detection. Pigs, key amplifying hosts, drive the transmission cycle, though the virus does not spread person-to-person. With no specific antiviral treatment, care focuses on symptom management, and the incubation period is 5-10 days.

To combat the outbreak, district health units are intensifying surveillance, conducting fogging operations, and raising awareness. The public is urged to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like high fever, headache, vomiting, or confusion. Preventive measures include using mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, draining stagnant water, and keeping pig sties away from homes. The department stressed boosting routine immunization and community engagement to curb further cases, with Dimapur District Hospital serving as the state’s JE testing hub.

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