Encephalitis, dengue claim 6 lives, affect 200

Morigaon (Assam), June 16: Japanese Encephalitis and dengue have claimed six lives and affected over 200 people in different villages of Morigaon district in Assam in the last two days, an official said today. Saruja Begum (65) of Lochanbori village and Rabia Khatoon of Borchapori village died of encephalitis and dengue respectively yesterday, Joint Director Health of Morigaon district Biplab Kumar Gohain said. Acute encephalitis claimed the lives of Khaliza Begum (65) and Abu Bakkar Siddique (9) at Lahorighat Tengaguri village the day before, he said. Encephalitis also claimed the lives of Kamaleswari Devi (55) of Balijan Village and Jaya Bordoloi of Solmari village, he said. The state health department has undertaken measures to curb the disease in encephalitis prone areas of the district. Apart from awareness programmes, the government has also launched a vaccination drive in the affected areas, he said.