Encephalitis: 9 more deaths in four days; toll touches 515

Nine more people, including six children, have succumbed to encephalitis here taking the toll to 515.

A total of nine patients have died since last Friday, official sources said, adding the toll due to different types of brain fever has reached 515 in eastern districts since January this year.

Sixteen new patients suffering from the disease have been admitted to various government hospitals here and Basti division since yesterday, additional director health LP Rawat said.

He said a total of 2,947 patients suffering from Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) were admitted this year to BRD Medical College and other hospitals of the region. Of this, 515 patients died.