New Delhi : India is seeing a spurt in the mosquito-borne Japanese Encephalitis viral disease with 1,714 cases reported in the country till Aug 15, the Lok Sabha was informed on Aug 20.

In a written statement, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad accepted that the disease, which affects the central nervous system and can cause severe complications and even death, is showing a rising trend.

Of the total Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases reported this year, 883 have occurred in Uttar Pradesh alone. In fact, 103 deaths due to JE have occurred in eastern Uttar Pradesh till July 2010.

The second highest number of JE cases has been reported from Assam where 274 cases have been registered. The other states are -- Tamil Nadu (153), Goa (35), Karnataka (18), Andhra Pradesh (14) and Manipur (4).

Azad said so far the government has spent Rs.2.4 crore on prevention and control of the disease. The minister, who is also in-charge of family welfare, said for prevention, treatment and control of vector-borne diseases, including JE, the government is implementing an integrated National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme under the overarching umbrella of the National Rural Health Mission.