Government Sounds High Alert to Avert Epidemic in Assam Relief Camps

A high alert was sounded by the Assam Government to avoid any outbreak of an epidemic in the relief camps.

The camps, set up to shelter the victims of the ethnic violence that rocked the state last month are housing over 4,34,000 people.

Though the district administrations have closed down 52 camps in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts, 266 relief camps are still operational.

More than 93,000 inmates have been diagnosed with fever, diarrhoea, injuries and dysentery.

100 cases of malaria have also been detected. Special care is being taken of 2,428 pregnant women.

State Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 117 doctors, from Centre and state, have been deputed in the relief camps.

Assam government has been distributing special kits to 8,000 children below two years of age at the relief camps.

The summer vacation of educational institutions in the violence-hit areas has been extended to August 15.

Around 76,000 inmates have returned home so far from the relief camps.

A team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will visit the violence-marred districts on Monday to take stock of the relief and rehabilitation work.

Source: ANI