Muzaffarpur: As many as 31 children died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bhihar's Muzaffarpur district in June alone, an official confirmed on Wednesday.
Sunil Shahi, Superintendent SKMCH, Muzaffarpur, said, "From January to June, 13 patients were admitted. Out of the 13, three had died. However, since the beginning of June to this day, 86 people have been admitted and of them, 31 have died".
"In total 109 have been admitted in this year so far in which 34 children have died," he added.
Encephalitis is a viral infection, which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as a fever or a headache.
Participating at a function organised at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) premises for laying foundation stone of a 500-bed-building, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed sorrow over the children's deaths in Muzaffarpur.
"I am very pained with the children's deaths in Muzaffarpur. We are very hurt and pained. The Health Department has sent its team to Muzaffarpur which would take stock of the measures being taken to tackle the disease," the chief minister said.
The Health Department principal secretary said the disease has affected 222 blocks of 12 districts, especially Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sheohar and East Champaran.
Read: Muzzafarpur Encephalitis outbreak: 14 kids dead, several hospitalised
