Seven more children have succumbed to Japanese encephalitis in eastern Uttar Pradesh, taking the toll in the deadly brain fever to 30 this month.

The deaths were reported in Mahrajganj, Kushinagar and Gorakhpur districts yesterday, additional director (health) LP Rawat said.

He said 16 new patients suffering from the disease have been admitted to the B R D Medical College in Gorakhpur.

Of the total 2,839 cases of Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome reported from the region this year, 496 patients have died, Rawat said.