Bihar: Encephalitis toll mounts to 100 after 6 more children die in Muzaffarpur

The death toll of children due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar has reached 97. On Sunday, 6 more children died to AES at Sri Krishna Medical College (SKMC) in Muzaffarpur, taking the death toll to 97.

Earlier on Saturday, the death toll was at 84. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to families of the children who died due to AES in Muzaffarpur.  

So far, 87 children have died in Muzaffarpur, 10 in Vaishali, one in Begusarai and two in Motihari.

Out of 87 children who died due to AES in Muzaffarpur, 14 of them were admitted in Kejriwal hospital in the district. 

As the death toll of children due to AES has become a serious issue, CM Nitish Kumar also gave directions to the health department, district administration and doctors to take necessary measures to fight the disease.

On Saturday, Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said the state government is doing its best to save children.

Speaking to ANI, Pandey said doctors and nurses are being called in from Patna for additional help. 

"We are trying everything and anything that can save children's lives. Everything is being made available from medicines to doctors. We have even called doctors and nurses from AIIMS in Patna," he said.

"There is a protocol regarding what kind of medicines and facilities should be given and we are doing the same. We are monitoring things regularly and trying to save our children," he said.

Recalling the situation that prevailed five years ago, Pandey said a team that was formed to ascertain the cause of this disease concluded that sleeping empty stomach at night, dehydration due to humidity and eating lychee on empty stomach were some of the causes of Encephalitis.

"Our government has tried to spread awareness which will be beneficial as well. Advertisement in newspapers, radio jingles, pamphlets and mic announcements are going to spread awareness regarding the disease. Health ministry is also working on it," he said.

"This incident in Muzaffarpur is very saddening and we also feel bad when children of our nation die like this. Not the whole district is affected but a large part is suffering from it," he added.
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.'

(With inputs from ANI)