Guwahati: The onset of the monsoon has triggered a surge in Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases in Assam, with four deaths confirmed at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) so far this month. GMCH officials on Saturday confirmed that the latest victim was a 30-year-old youth from Panikhaiti, near Guwahati, who succumbed to the disease on Saturday.
The deceased, identified as Narbahadur Chetry, was admitted to the hospital on June 6 and later tested positive for JE, according to doctors. This follows the death of Subhash Ch Baishya, a 58-year-old resident of Barpeta district, who died on Friday after being admitted on June 5.
Dr Devajit Choudhury, GMCH superintendent, expressed concern over the rapid deterioration in some cases. “In many cases, patients arrive with severe symptoms of JE and are later confirmed through tests. In some instances, the deterioration is rapid,” he said on Saturday.
According to GMCH reports, both patients had suffered from high fever for several days, and altered sensorium, a primary symptom of JE, was confirmed in both cases. Earlier this month, two other JE deaths were recorded at GMCH: Rahman (89) from Boko in Kamrup district died on June 9, and Safiqul Islam (17), also from Boko, succumbed on June 4.
While the state health department has not released updated district-wise data on JE cases, sources indicate that more deaths may have occurred in other districts in recent days. The JE death rate in Assam rose alarmingly to 16% by August last year, compared to 7% in 2024, despite a decline in the number of cases.
With June and July being the most critical months for JE transmission, doctors have expressed concern over the rising fatalities. JE has emerged as a major health threat in rural Assam and hill regions, where mosquito breeding in stagnant water increases during the monsoon. July is considered the peak month for JE transmission.
