13 died, 22 affected by Japanese Encephalitis in India

At least 13 people have died and 22 others are affected by Japanese Encephalitis in the northeastern Indian state of Assam in the past 10 days, a health official said Wednesday.

"All the victims are from the state's Jorhat district. While 13 people have passed away in two hospitals in the past 10 days, those affected are currently undergoing treatment in the two hospitals as well as in a private hospital," he said, on condition of anonymity.

The state government has distributed nearly 40,000 mosquito nets in the affected areas, the official said, adding that health awareness camps are also being organized.

Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne disease and can often be fatal if not diagnosed on time.