The Assam Government has sounded an alert and instructed all health institutions to be on vigil to prevent the spread of Japanese encephalitis. Official sources said that so far 115 people lost their lives since January this year due to encephalitis.Mission Director of state National Rural Health Mission Dr. J. B. Ekka said that awareness campaign through print media is being carried out. Distribution of leaflets and banners with do's and dont's are also being carried out.The ASHA and ANM's are engaged as community mobilisers.So far, over 550 people have been affected in 20 districts of the state. The worst-hit district was Sibsagar, where 42 people have died so far.The Assam Government has also decided to launch a special vaccination programme in five districts covering 5 lakh people in the age group of 15 to 70 from the first of the next month.