NHRC seeks report on Japanese Encephalitis deaths in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar/ New Delhi, Oct 4:

Taking suo motu cognizance of the media reports on deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from Malkangiri District Collector, Health & Family Welfare Secretary to be submitted within four weeks.

Besides, the NHRC has asked for the steps taken by them.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise issues of violation of Right to Health and Life of the people.
The Commission has also observed that the authorities have to be sensitive towards the need to maintain cleanliness in the area. There is a need to create awareness among the villagers towards the health hazard which is related to their tradition of rearing of pigs.

Social workers and the district authorities are reportedly of the opinion that culling of pigs is not possible and the only solution is vaccination of the children, which would be done from next year.

The Commission further observed that vaccination of the children from the next year will be too late.

Notably, the Japanese Encephalitis virus develops in the pigs and is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans.