JEYPORE: Lack of awareness about Japanese Encephalitis (JE) seems to have become the biggest impediment for Koraput administration in controlling spread of the killer disease that has so far claimed lives of eight children in Koraput district and 69 in neighbouring Malkangiri. At least 21 JE-affected children are undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) now.
Apparently, tribals of Boipariguda are preferring ‘disaris’ (traditional healers) to doctors at the DHH fearing that their children might die.
Many have also started resorting to sacrificing animals at the temples of their presiding deities to get rid of JE, which they term as Duma Jar (ghost fever).
On the other hand, tribals are not allowing animal resources department officials to isolate their pigs, which are the main carriers of the Japanese Encephalitis virus.
Awareness camps on JE are not being organised at regular intervals by the health officials. Most of the JE cases have been reported from Jeypore, Kotpad and Boipariguda that are located close to Malkangiri district. Health officials have been mobilised to the affected areas and Collector is reviewing the situation daily. District Medical Officer KP Behera said JE cases have come down in the last few days and preventive measures are being taken in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, people of Jaynagar, New Street, Somar Street, Gopanbandhu Colony in Jeypore town have urged the municipality authorities to isolate pigs from their areas following death of two children due to JE.