Encephalitis Claims 69 In Muzaffarpur

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) so far has claimed as many as 69 children in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, informed Dr Shailesh Prasad Singh, Civil Surgeon.

"A total of 58 patients have died at Shri Krishna Medical College. 11 of them died in private Kejriwal hospital. Till now over 130 have been hospitalised in the district," Singh further added.

It may be mentioned here that the District Magistrate of Muzaffarpur on Friday informed that for students till Class VIII, schools will remain closed till June 22 and for students in higher standards, classes will be held only till 10.30 am.

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.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already directed the officials concerned to ensure that preventive measures were taken in the affected districts, though deaths have so far been reported from Muzaffarpur only.

Health Department's Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar had earlier said the disease has affected 222 blocks of 12 districts especially Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sheohar and East Champaran