24 kids die of Japanese Encephalitis in Odisha's

Malkangiri:(Newsonair)-In Odisha, at least 24 children have died from mosquito-borne Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri district.
A team of experts visited the affected area a few days ago and collected about 70 samples after the children, aged between two and five years, died in five villages of the district in September and October.
Joint Director of the state health department, MM Pradhan said that ten samples have been so far tested positive for the Japanese Encephalitis virus. The children who died had mild fever and swelling of eyes, nose and ears.
Pradhan said that the investigation results of the remaining samples are expected soon. He said the affected villages house large number of pigs, the amplifying host of the virus.
There has been no report of new case from the district after the affected areas were disinfected and an awareness campaign was launched, Pradhan said.