Patna, June 14: The death toll has jumped to 62 in the acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) outbreak in Bihar, reports citing official sources said on Friday. The State and Union Health Ministry is monitoring the condition and has deployed teams across all districts to restrict the casualties.  Can Lychees Be Poisonous? Litchis Linked to Encephalitis Deaths in Muzaffarpur – How to Eat This Fruit Safely.

The fatal disease broke out in Bihar nearly a month ago, with the first casualties being reported in the district of Muzaffarpur.

Out of the total deaths, maximum - 47 children have died in Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) while 10 succumbed at the private Kejriwal Hospital, Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said.

"We are monitoring all this. The Health Ministry in the state held a meeting on this and decided to make people aware of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)," the Health Minister shared.

"A team comprising of one professor, three associate professors, four assistant professors, nine senior residents and 15 junior residents are seeing this matter and looking after the children. We are providing more beds in both the hospitals for treatment," he added.

Encephalitis is a viral infection which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions, and headaches.

The virus had last year claimed the lives of over 100 lives in 2017 in Gorakhpur, the stronghold of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2019 06:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).