Encephalitis claims five more lives, toll climbs to 211 in Gorakhpur

Five persons died of encephalitis in Gorakhpur, taking the death toll due to the viral disease in Uttar Pradesh's eastern region to 211 this year, health official said in Gorakhpur today.

All the five people died in BRD Medical College Hospital here in the last two days, additional director (health) UK Srivastava said.

Of the total 211 deaths this year, 200 people died in BRD MCH while the remaining died in other government hospitals of the region - Gorakhpur, Siddharthnagar, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Basti and Deoria districts.

He said 16 new patients were admitted to the BRD Medical College Hospital today.

As many as 165 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the BRD MCH and various government hospitals of the region, he said.

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain.