By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 4, 2016 : The remote backward district of Malkanigiri is vitiated by dreadful Japanese Encephalitis claiming 30 lives of children in Malkangiri district  so far.

The vector-borne disease develops in the pigs and is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans.

Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, department secretary Arti Ahuja and Animal Resources Development secretary Bishnupada Sethi visited Malkangiri on Monday to assess the prevailing situation.

They held discussions with district administration officials in the presence of Animal Husbandry department authorities regarding steps to be taken towards isolation of Japanese Encephalitis virus infected pigs to curb spreading of the disease.

After the meeting, Ahuja informed that special pig enclosure will be constructed and guards would be appointed there.

The Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) also sanctioned Rs 50 lakh to the district authorities to purchase medicine and necessary equipment to tackle the disease.

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

The Commission says going by the media reports the disease raises 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.