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With a view to address the issue of Japanese Encephalitis in some regions of the country, the Union health ministry has issued a notification on Japanese Encephalitis (JE). The notification has been sent to the heads of state health departments and other health functionaries of all the state governments/UTs concerned.
Besides, chief secretaries of government of Assam, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal where the number of JE cases has been reported to be high in the past, have been requested to issue necessary notification under the Clinical Establishment (Registration & Regulation) Act, 2010 or relevant Act/Rules as applicable, to ensure necessary monitoring, prevention and control of the disease.
During the discussion on a Calling Attention Motion in the Lok Sabha on 11.8.2016 regarding spread of J E in the country, especially Eastern Uttar Pradesh and steps taken by the government in this regard, Union health minister J P Nadda had made an assurance for making JE a notifiable disease. This notification issued by the health ministry is in response to the assurance given to Parliament by the minister.
As per the notification, JE is an important public health concern in the country accounting for substantial morbidity, mortality and disability. Early reporting of JE cases is necessary for effective implementation of preventive measures and case management.
In order to ensure early diagnosis & case management, reduce transmission, address the problems of emergency and spread of disease in newer geographical areas, it is essential to have complete information of all JE cases. Therefore, the healthcare providers shall notify every JE case to local authorities i.e. district health officer/chief medical officer of the district concerned and municipal health officer of the municipal corporation/municipality concerned every week (daily during transmission period).
Accordingly, all laboratory-confirmed cases of Japanese Encephalitis should be notified.
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