Encephalitis surge in Bihar: Centre deploys multi-speciality team

Bihar has registered a rise in cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Muzaffarpur and Japanese Encephalitis in Gaya

June 12, 2019 06:41 pm | Updated December 03, 2021 08:36 am IST - NEW DELHI

A doctor treats a child with symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome at a hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar on June 11, 2019.

A doctor treats a child with symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome at a hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar on June 11, 2019.

In the wake of 11 deaths from January to June 8 this year in Bihar due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) against 48 reported cases, the Union government has deployed a multi-speciality team in the State.

“The team, which arrived on Wednesday, will review the surge in cases of encephalopathy/ encephalitis and assist the State in containment/ control operations. This is in addition to a Central team that is already stationed in Muzaffarpur. They will also visit various hospitals to assess the situation and support the State government,’’ said a senior Union Health Ministry official.

The State has registered a rise in cases of AES in Muzaffarpur and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Gaya.

The Central team consists of officials from the National Centre for Disease Control, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, among others.

“Currently, Sri Krishna Medical College and hospital in Muzaffarpur has 22 admitted cases of fever, hypoglycaemia and unconsciousness. The Health Ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of Women and Child Development for distribution of nutritious food with glucose in the meals to prevent development of AES,’’ says a Ministry release.

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