Brain fever due to Japanese encephalitis (Je) is suspected to have claimed 367 lives in India last year, India's Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said in Parliament on Friday.

Ramadoss also said a total of 1,695 cases of the endemic were reported from 12 states during this period.

Uttar Pradesh reported highest number of the cases of Je with 1, 030 cases, of which 228 proved fatal during 2004.

According to the Health Minister, this year, Assam has reported 18 cases and four deaths due to Je while Karnataka has reported nine cases, West Bengal six and Tamil Nadu four.

JE is caused by a virus which is transmitted through mosquitoes. While there is no specific treatment for it, early symptomatic management is important, the minister said.

The main hosts of Je virus are pigs and water birds and the outbreaks occurred where there was close interaction between these animals and human beings.

The minister also said that the vectors of Je breed in large water bodies such as paddy fields. He said since the mosquito was outdoor rester, measures such as indoor residual sprays were not very effective.

Source: Xinhua