Awareness Campaign on Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome

 BACKDROP:

The most basic need in life is water which saves life and kills life as well. In the context of negative impact of water, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) which breeds in water logged conditions is a virus that takes birth in the wet paddy and other agricultural field. This virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes the main reservoirs of JE virus are pigs & water birds (Ardeidae) and its natural cycle, virus is maintained through certain mosquito species in these animals. Man is an accidental host and does play a role in JE transmission.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) have been a major problem in India.  Assam is more vulnerable for JEV infection as compared to other states in India.

 In 2014, large numbers of Japanese encephalitis cases were observed in Assam as compared to other states in India. Maximum numbers of Japanese encephalitis cases were reported from Assam. It shares approximately 46.95% of total Japanese encephalitis (JE) positive cases reported all over the country in 2014

Keeping in view the above facts, PHED has been religiously conducting yearly during monsoon season awareness campaign on JE/ AES

In general, it is quite tangible and evident that consciousness of the people in the aspect of impact of JE/AES is not apparent. People are not truly sanitized about the most meaningful sources (water) of mosquito breeding centers. Environmental sanitation in which polluted water is the cross cutting issue for all hazards. Intensity of hazard leads to high risk and higher degree of vulnerability which, in term, resulting in to a great disaster in the family as well as community as a whole.

Keeping this serious concern in view, the Public Health Engineering Department, Govt. of Assam had decided and directed to launch a weeklong awareness generation programme on the subject of Awareness Drive on Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) scheduled between 25^th-30^th of July’2016.

In accordance with the directive received, by The Office of Executive Engineer Public Health Engineering Div.1, Bamunimaidam. Guwahati sub division, along with site engineers and World Bank Specialists conducted awareness drive among community in Chandrapur and Dimoria block with due cooperation and participation from Gram Panchayat President and Ward members in achieving its objective.

Objectives of the awareness week.

·       Creating attitudinal sift perceived the importance of water, sanitation and its linkage with Japanese Encephalitis (JE).water, sanitation and its linkage with Japanese Encephalitis.

·        Driving behavioral changes in sanitation habits and usage patterns of water for arresting Japanese Encephalitis.

Some Glimpses of the activities from Week long Awareness Campaign on Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome at Dimoria & Chandrapur Block of Kamrup (Metro) District.

 Awareness programme conducted on JE/ AES Khetri GP Office, at Dimoria Block

Awareness Campaign at Chandrapur block

Distribution of Chemicals for purification of drinking water to the community via boat to the villagers.

CONCLUSION:

·         The Awareness Week was quite comprehensive and positive in a sense that the impact of JE/AES was not seriously known to the affected people. Within the shortest possible time and interruption of monsoon disrupted the movement to a certain extent in some of the remote villages of Kamrup District.  

·          Moreover sincere attempt was made within a given time and was quite encouraging. Being the nodal Department, Public Health Engineering Department, Govt. of Assam has implemented safe drinking water sources with a purpose to create a healthy environment by distributing in the community, chemical packets consisting of admixture of bleaching powder, Alum and Lime in proportion of 1:8:16 and disinfect and purify the drinking water. Information was disseminated to avoid water logging in view of proper drainage system, so that there would be no water logged condition in view of prevention and control of mosquito breeding centre in the village. This Awareness Week was quite useful and needs to be a continuous process.