Guwahati: Altogether 52 people have died and 318 others have been affected by Japanese Encephalitis this year in Assam with the disease assuming alarming trend during recent months in the state.

Among the worst affected districts are Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Golaghat, Dhemaji and Kamrup (Rural) with 52 deaths and 318 others testing positive since January this year, a senior Health department official said today.