Japanese Encephalitis Death Toll Hits 15 in Assam

Guwahati: Japanese Encephalitis is tightening its grip on Assam. Five more people died over the last 10 days. The state death toll hit 15. Health officials confirmed 119 total cases across the region. Kamrup district leads the pack with 17 infections and four deaths.

Mosquitoes thrive in the state’s massive paddy fields and wetlands. The local pig population keeps the virus moving. Experts demand immediate changes to stop the spread. They want better surveillance, stronger mosquito control, and sharper clinical readiness.

A 2025 research paper published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene says the state is increasingly vulnerable. Dr. Biswa Prasun Chatterji and Sabrina Sultana Rahman authored the study. They wrote, "Japanese Encephalitis Crisis in Assam, India: Call for Targeted Action as Cases Surge Statewide."

Childhood vaccines started in 2006 worked well. Kids are safer now. But the virus found a new target. Adults now make up the bulk of recent cases. Research shows that while kids once faced the most risk, the current data points to a major shift. The researchers argue that expanding vaccination coverage among adults is the only way forward.