Guwahati, Aug 28 (IANS) Japanese encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, has killed 78 people in eight districts of eastern Assam since April and the health department has sounded a high alert to check its spread, an official said Friday.
A health department spokesperson said close to 1,000 people have been affected by the disease.

“We have alerted health officials across the state to take preventive measures to stop Japanese encephalitis from spreading to newer areas,” Parthajyoti Gogoi, a senior health department official, said.

The disease, transmitted from pigs through mosquitoes, strikes during the peak breeding period from April to September.

Encephalitis causes inflammation of the brain tissue, producing symptoms of high fever, headache, rigidity of the neck, loss of voice and involuntary movement of the body.

Authorities in some areas have conducted an encephalitis immunisation drive, besides fogging and spraying mosquito repellents to kill the vectors.

“People in Japanese encephalitis prone areas in the age group of one to 15 should take vaccination available at all government hospitals.” Gogoi said, adding: “Prevention is the best way of dealing with Japanese encephalitis.”