Encephalitis death toll rises to 101 in Muzaffarpur

The death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome rose to 101 in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. However, it has been predicted that unofficial deaths due to the disease would be more as some children died in villages before being admitted to hospital.

Muzaffarpur: With eighteen more deaths reported from Muzaffarpur due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), the death toll in the district mounted to 101 on Sunday as Bihar continues to grapple with the deadly disease.

Fourteen children died on Sunday, taking the total number of casualties due to AES to 101, health officials said.

However, unofficial deaths due to the disease are said to be more as some children died in villages before being admitted to hospital.

Doctors claim that the deaths, due to AES, are being caused due to excessive heat and humidity. Scorching heat on Saturday claimed the lives of least 25 people from various districts of the state on Saturday.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan arrived in the state capital today to review public health measures for containment and management of the AES.

Vardhan had previously said that the Centre was constantly monitoring the situation and supporting state health authorities to manage the encephalitis cases.

Encephalitis is a viral disease, which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions and headaches and has been claiming lives in the district for the past few weeks.