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The Union Cabinet Secretary today reviewed the situation arising out of the JE epidemic in Uttar Pradesh with senior officials of the Union Health Ministry and State Chief Secretary and Health Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. Secretaries of the Union Ministries of Women and Child Development, and Animal Husbandry were also present. The Cabinet Secretary reviewed the public health measures taken by the State Government in the affected areas. The Health Ministry officials briefed the Cabinet Secretary about the measures taken by the Centre so far. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized on the need for a well orchestrated preventive vaccination programme beginning early next year
The Centre has established a sub-office at the LNM Railway Hospital Complex in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, stocked with essential drugs to deal with the Japanese Encephalitis outbreak in this region. Necessary communication facilities with fax and e-mail have also been operationalised. A public health team is also camping in the sub-office. The Centre is also deputing clinicians to the affected areas.
All measures are being taken by the Centre to increase the availability of JE vaccine. The Central Research Institute in Kasauli will be supported in terms of scaled up manpower and equipment to increase production of mouse brain vaccine. Simultaneously a global search is on through WHO and independently to access availability of about 6 million doses of mouse brain vaccine required for vaccination of 2 million children before the next season.
The National Vector Borne Disease Programme has drawn up detailed immunization plans before the next season.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has supplied essential medicines and consumables to manage JE cases including 4 lakh insecticide treated bed nets, 10 respirators, 100 fogging machines, one Elisa reader with washer. Additional requirements of the State for medicines worth Rs. one crore has been processed and orders are being placed. The district administration has also been advised to carry out selective aerial and other fogging and seek support of the civil society for quick shifting and admission of fever cases of children for early treatment and better chances of recovery
EK/BKS/KK
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