GUWAHATI: The National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, has said there has been no unusual increase in Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases or deaths in the state this year, while urging media organisations to accurately distinguish between JE and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in their reporting.
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In a clarification, NHM Assam stated that confusion has arisen due to some reports treating AES and JE as the same disease. The health agency emphasised that Japanese Encephalitis is only one of the causes of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and that not all AES patients are infected with the JE virus.
According to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), Assam has recorded 53 Japanese Encephalitis cases and seven deaths as of June 17, 2026. NHM Assam said the number of JE-related deaths has not increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
The health mission noted that while 470 AES cases and 32 deaths have been reported this year, these figures should not be interpreted as Japanese Encephalitis cases because AES is a broader clinical syndrome caused by multiple factors.
NHM Assam said the state government has been undertaking extensive preparedness measures ahead of the annual AES-JE season. Since February this year, health authorities have intensified vaccination drives, strengthened disease surveillance, trained healthcare personnel, improved treatment preparedness and implemented standard operating procedures to tackle potential outbreaks.
The agency also highlighted ongoing efforts to control the transmission of Japanese Encephalitis through coordinated public health interventions.
Appealing for responsible reporting, NHM Assam urged media outlets and stakeholders to clearly differentiate between AES and JE to avoid creating confusion among the public regarding the state's disease situation.