Ahmedabad: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases in Gujarat have resulted in 51 deaths, with 148 cases reported, with 140 from Gujarat.
The Union Health Ministry reported a decline in new AES cases since July 19. The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Faculty of National Vector Borne Disease Control Center (NCVBDC) issued a joint advisory to guide neighboring states reporting AES cases. Since June, AES cases have been reported in children under 15 years in Gujarat.
As of July 31, 148 AES cases had been reported, with 59 resulting in death. Chandipura virus has been confirmed in 51 cases. The Director General of Health Services, Director of the NCDC, and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research reviewed the situation and advised neighboring states to take necessary steps, including insecticide sprays for vector control, IEC, sensitization of medical personnel, and timely referral of cases to designated facilities.
The Central Government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to assist the State Government of Gujarat in public health measures and epidemiological investigation.
