A rumor that Japanese Encephalitis vaccine leads to sterility spread like wildfire in the Muslim-dominated areas of Assam – a reason enough for the villagers to boycott the vaccination drive which was due this month. Japanese Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, has led to deaths of over 800 people since 2010 in Assam. The deadly disease is known to strike every summer. The initial symptoms are fever, headache, vomiting and confusion, but it can later lead to swelling around the brain and can also cause death. Anbamuthan MP, a 31-year-old IAS officer posted in Bongaigaon district, is on a mission to quell these rumors and encourage people to get the much-needed vaccination.
