100 Children Die Of Encephalitis in Bihar

Muzaffarpur, June 17, 2019:

The deadly disease Acute Encephalitis Syndrome has claimed the lives of 100 children in Bihar's Muzaffarpur in the last 16 days.

As per NDTV reports, 300 children have been admitted to the Intensive Care Units of two local hospitals. According to official data, 83 children have died at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), while 17 breathed their last in Kejriwal Hospital in the Muzaffarpur.

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is a viral disease that causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions and headaches. A person suffering from the disease is also likely to suffer from very low levels of blood sugar, which could prove fatal.

The Bihar health department has cited hypoglycemia, a condition caused by very low level of blood sugar, as one of the main reasons for the deaths.

Dr SK Shahi, the Medical Superintendent at SKMC, told NDTV that only monsoon can bring respite from the deadly disease which is running rampant in Bihar.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan visited Muzaffarpur on Sunday to take stock of the situation. He reviewed the situation and talked to many important persons regarding the issue.

The Union Health Minister also commended the efforts put in by the doctors to ensure efficient treatment to everyone.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar earlier expressed grief over the deaths and announced "an ex gratia payment of Rs. 4 lakh to the next of the kin of those who have died". The Chief Minister also said there is a lack of awareness on how to tackle this disease.

Meanwhile, many deaths have also been reported from Bihar due to a 'heat wave'. The heatwave killed over 40 people on Saturday. Most of those deaths were reported from Aurangabad, Gaya and Nawada.

It may be mentioned that a heat wave is declared when temperature remains at 45 degrees Celsius and above for two days running. It gets a "severe" tag when mercury touches 47 degrees.

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