Guwahati: The National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, on Thursday clarified that Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) are separate medical conditions and must not be reported interchangeably, while confirming that the state has recorded 35 JE cases and seven deaths so far this year.
The clarification came amid reports that allegedly combined AES and JE figures, causing confusion over the actual disease burden in the state.
NHM Assam stated that Japanese Encephalitis is one of the causes of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, but not all AES cases are JE cases, stressing that the two conditions require separate reporting for accurate public understanding.
According to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), Assam has reported 35 confirmed JE cases and seven deaths due to the mosquito-borne disease up to June 17, 2026.
In contrast, the figures of 470 cases and 32 deaths reported in some media outlets pertain to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and should not be considered Japanese Encephalitis cases or fatalities, the NHM clarified.
An NHM Assam official said reporting AES and JE figures without proper distinction could lead to public misunderstanding, adding that while JE is an important cause of AES, the two are not synonymous.
The health mission also highlighted that the state government has strengthened preparedness measures ahead of the annual AES-JE season, which typically sees a rise in cases during the monsoon period.
Officials said surveillance has been intensified across districts, and healthcare facilities have been instructed to enhance case management and treatment protocols.
Efforts are also being made to improve vaccination coverage in vulnerable areas and strengthen coordination among departments for better disease control.
NHM Assam has urged media organisations, stakeholders, and the public to rely only on verified data and to report AES and JE figures separately in order to prevent misinformation and avoid unnecessary panic.
With IANS inputs