Encephalitis outbreak: Death toll rises to 100 in Bihar

Few days ago, children in Muzaffarpur, Bihar were diagnosed with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). The affected children were admitted and treated in the government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH). In the past one month, 66 children became the victim of this deadly syndrome.

In result of this, schools till class 8 in Muzaffarpur will remain closed till 22nd June and higher secondary schools will work only till 10.30 am. This disease has also spread to Gaya district in Bihar. As many as 130 affected children are under scrutiny and are being given appropriate treatment in SKMCH. Health officers in Muzaffarpur district claim that most of the children who were declared dead suffered from low glucose levels in their blood. Some doctors claim excessive heat and humidity is one of the causes for AES.

In effect of the increasing fatalities, the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced Rs 4 lakh to each family of the dead in Muzaffarpur.

Encephalitis is a viral disease that causes inflammation in the brain along with flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions and headaches. Muzaffarpur district in Bihar has been the latest victim of this disease taking over 100 lives.